OTI - Goverment, and our Pledge - Updated January 30, 2023

docstox12 wrote:

CPcantmeasuresnow wrote:I received a very ominous warning from OSIS (OTIan Sectarian Island Separatists) this morning. It said and I quote, "Should the Coconut Lounge continue as a morality free zone we the member of OSIS will wage a holy fruit war with the pagan citizens of OTI. If you want to continue in your decadent ways prepare to be attacked and violated by your own currency".

I woke up this morning with a banana in places it was not meant to be with this note attached to my hut door. Apparently this group, which from their note appears at this time to be a group of just one is to be taken seriously. SNOWMAN where are you, you're our only hope.

CP, a video was sent to me at Parliament Building of a black hooded OSIS operative cutting the top off of a bannana.I will send the film to SNOW MAN for his analysis and instructions.With Aresian as Director of the Coconut Lounge and Parliament supplying every need and effort to him, we can assure that this will be a morality free zone in perpetutum! No OSIS thugs will ever intimidate or threaten that status, over my cold dead body!!!

Parliament grants IMMEDIATELY Aresians promotion as a Director formally assuming the title of Head Bouncer and grants him authority to assume the role of Head Chef which Greslig has unceremoniously abandoned.Your intuitive skill at recognizing candidates for OTI Citizenship and Directorship, your statement that Aresian ( "has OTI written all over him") never ceases to amaze Parliament and you, CP, will go down in the annals of OTI History as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin have in the Mainland.

billg315 wrote:JUDICIAL ORDER
Whereas, there has been a recent spike in OSIS activity including banana torture, mango mutilation, and coconut conspiracies; and
Whereas, members of OSIS have engaged in a campaign of terroristic threats against island inhabitants; and
Whereas, OSIS is on the OTI Judicial List of known terrorist organizations; and
Whereas, if OSIS continues to destroy bananas, mangos and coconuts and place them in places they should not be, we may have to switch to "cow currency" which besides being impractical is probably a threat to further enhance the global warming that has caused much instability on the island this winter; and
Whereas, the warm, largely snow-less winter has caused a spike in mainland immigration to this island, thereby making it easier for OSIS to enter in stealth to plot their nefarious plots; and
Whereas, this is a clear and present danger to the safety and security of this island, its inhabitants, its businesses (i.e. the Coconut Lounge) and our economic stability;
Therefore it is ORDERED as follows:
1. Island Security is hereby authorized to implement EXTREME VETTING for any mainland visitors entering the island;
2. Island Security is hereby authorized to treat OSIS as enemy combatants outside the realm of OTI legal protections;
3. A new detention facility, on the sub-island of OTITMO, is authorized for the temporary or permanent detention of confirmed OSIS members.
Respectfully Submitted,
Billg315
Chief Justice and Excellent Inquisitor

billg315 wrote:JUDICIAL FINDINGS AND VERDICT
Case of
People of OTI v.s. TheAresian
and
People of OTI v.s. Syosnow
Issued March 21, 2017

DECISION:
We have a number of allegations here. So, ahem. Let’s start from the very beginning. A very good place to start. When you read you begin with A, B, C. When you judge you begin with Snow, Rain, Beach. Snow, Rain, Beach.

We must have snow before we have rain, which we have before we head to the beach. That is the proper order of weather each year around here. Winter Snow. Then Spring Rain. Then Sunny Summer beach and fishing days. None are to be unnecessarily rushed. It is perfectly alright to enjoy Spring Showers to help you grow May Flowers, or grass that you can charge people to cut.  It also is perfectly alright to enjoy the beach or fishing in warm weather.  It is not, however, on OTI, acceptable to hasten an end to the SNOW season to get to these other events. They will come soon enough, and last long enough, without wishing away our precious snow days. And since we can get major snowstorms in March and measurable snowfall into early April, wishing for warm weather and an end to the snow season prior to that is hasty. In fact, on this island, it is criminal in nature.

So let’s examine the two distinct charges. First against the Aresian.  It has been submitted in evidence that the Aresian stated as follows (and this appears to this Court uncontested):
TheAresian wrote: "It's late enough in the season that I'm being all or nothing. So either this storm can drop a foot of snow or it can move along.
The 6z has me slated for around 3 inches. If the choice is between 3 or even 6 inches and nothing, I'll take the nothing. 6 inches this time of year would be melted in 2 days."

A fair reading of this statement is simple. Aresian is hoping for a foot of snow. That is great. And had he left it there all would be well. But, and this is critical. He did not leave it there.  He proceeded to say that 3 or even 6 inches was essentially worthless to him and he’d rather have nothing. With all due respect, 6” is a significant snowfall. And I don’t recall where the time it takes for snow to melt AFTER a storm detracting from the joy of watching a snowstorm. On the day it snows, watching the snow fall, being whipped by the winter winds, coating everything in a beautiful covering of white, it is completely irrelevant at that moment whether in three days it will melt. Enjoy it for what it is. "Nothing" or God Forbid "Rain," is never better than 6” of snow, nor even 3” of snow. If he said getting "nothing" is better than freezing rain or sleet I’d understand. But snow I do not.

However, this is not Springmongering, primarily because TheAresian never said he doesn’t want anymore snow this season, just that this particular storm could pass him by. If he had said, arguendo, “If I don’t get a foot of snow, bring on May and the flower bloom,”  then THAT would be Springmongering.

Therefore I find TheAresian NOT GUILTY of “Springmongering”, but GUILTY of a lesser charge of Reckless Snowslaughter. Recklessly wishing for a storm to drop nothing which could lead to the untimely death of the hopes of snowlovers for even a few inches of snow.

His punishment is a one-night ban from the Coconut Lounge and a restraining order preventing him from having any contact with Wildebeasts or TREES, for a period of one month.

Now the second allegation is against Syosnow who is alleged to have uttered the following statement:
"Doc I hope it melts fast. Sorry. I don't want muddy high rivers and streams for the April 1st trout opener."

The evidence appears uncontested that he stated this. So is this Springmongering? Not exactly. He is hoping for better conditions for a distinct date and event, in this case the April 1st trout opener. I would analogize this to a groom and bride in January wishing for no large snowstorms on their wedding day as it would destroy a day they had long planned for and possibly endanger family and friends traveling to their event. It may raise an eyebrow, but it is excusable, provided that they are hoping for a snowstorm the day AFTER their wedding. It doesn't mean they are hoping for an early Spring. So, as long as Syosnow is hoping for more snow after April 1st, he can be excused for hoping for no snow melt impacts on April 1st.  It is, however, never good to wish for snow to melt fast so I would say this is probably a violation of some sort. But more a minor violation like a traffic ticket or code violation.

Therefore I will simply fine Syos one mango and one banana for the code offense of “careless snowmelting.”

These are the findings of this Court.

Respectfully Submitted,
Billg315
Chief Justice and Excellent Inquisitor

Math23x7 wrote:It has been well over a week since I got a response from Upton that they would review the snow totals from 1/7 and 1/14. And we are getting to the planned 4/1 OTI recess. If they somehow change the totals come April, will the reparations to CP from the Conservancy take place then or will it have to wait until the fall. We all know he had to spend an ample amount of time in the Sanitarium for the ridiculous snow reports. Billg already has the documents in place, which he issued last January (well done Bill). We are just anxious as to what the judge (in this case, Upton) has to say.

Also, this post will unfortunately get overlooked. Why? Because it is the last post of the fifth page of the Phase II thread. Once the next post is up, both the citizens and the tourists will not know that there was a relatively new post right before it. You see, using what is on this forum from emperor Frank, the total number of posts is equal to the number of replies plus one, since the one is the initial post of the thread. Now, after this post, it will have 124 replies, for 125 posts (whereas before it was 123 replies, for 124 posts). And since there are 25 posts per page, the fifth page will be filled up. Let me put in a rule of thumb. Let the number on the reply counter = x. If x ≡ 23 (mod 25) right before you make your post, then know that your post will be quickly forgotten. For those of you who did not major in math, in other words, before this post there were 123 replies. When you divide 123 by 25, the remainder is 23.

In short, this post is meant to emphasize a scenario of the snowfall revision taking place in April, but no one (outside of the first poster) will seem to care about it

This has been a somewhat of a decent winter we just had as it had its moments in December, January, February, and March something that none of the prior seven winters (including the 4 50"+ winters) could do. It's unfortunate, however, that a large chunk if it featured unseasonable warmth and a storm that under-performed in snow totals in select locations (including my own) in mid-March.

Anyway, this may be my last post before the pending Government Recess begins. The Kingdom thread may be locked for the next six months but I will leave it up to the founders to decide. Barring any surprises, see you next fall!

Over and out.

Math23x7
Director of Technology

billg315 wrote:JUDICIAL RESOLUTION
ORDERED BY THIS HONORABLE COURT ON THE 4TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2018

CREATION OF THE OTI MONITORING, VERIFICATION AND INSPECTION COMMISSION FOR ENFORCED COMPLIANCE WITH ACCURATE SNOW MEASUREMENTS

On January 15, 2017 this Honorable Court, in a legal action against NOAA, the National Weather Service, The Central Park Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Society (in its role as manager of the Central Park Zoo), the City of New York, et al, made the following findings:
There has been a persistent under measurement of official snowfall totals in Central Park dating back many years, perhaps decades. This has led to tainted official snowfall totals for the City of New York. The evidence showed that in many snowstorms over the years measurements at surrounding reporting stations including JFK, LGA, EWR, have been significantly higher than CPK despite the fact that they virtually surround this reporting station (Appendix One 2016 seasonal totals from last March show: 31.6" for CPK, while LGA is 35.6, JFK 40.9, and EWR 36.2; in the most recent storm they show respectively, 5.1", 7.0, 8.2, 5.8 ). Additionally, scientific analysis reported by Math23X7 showed that in a recent storm between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. the Conservancy reported .7" of snow fell, despite radar showing heavy banding over the city, and a qpf of .11" fell during that time frame with high ratios.
As a result of these findings legal action was pursued. Since that time, Central Park's record of snow accumulation reporting initially improved, but has been spotty at best.
During today's epic East Coast snowstorm, Math23X7 was dispatched to Central Park, measuring equipment in hand. He obtained an accurate, verifiable measurement. Subsequently, CPK updated its initial snow measurement in accord with that snow accumulation recorded by Math. It is therefore clear to this Court that when the Conservancy's feet are held to the fire -- or the ice, as the case may be -- they can be incentivized to be accurate. This court believes that a monitoring and verification process is the only way to ensure CPK compliance with accurate measurement protocols.
Therefore this resolution creates the Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission to be headed up by Math. This Commission is hereby:
1.) granted access to inspect snow cover at Central Park at all hours and all days of the week in order to measure snow and/or to witness and verify the Conservancy's measurement of snow;
2.) authorized to perform unannounced inspections;
3.) granted access to publicly issued snowfall totals to ensure they are consistent with independent measurements conducted by the Commission.
If the Conservancy fails to comply with the conditions of this strict inspection regimen, the Commission is authorized to file a notice of violation with the OTI Parliament. The Parliament is then authorized by this Court to impose the following Sanctions:
1.) an embargo of all goods and services into the Park; and/or
2.) suspension of public funding for Park activities; and/or
3.) prosecution of conservancy staff before the OTI Snow Crimes Tribunal for the snow crime of chronic under-measurement; and/or
4.) OTI Military Action to seize control of all CPK snow measurement operations and to enforce by force the accurate measurement of snowfall in the heart of our beloved New York City;

The Commission is hereby authorized to begin these functions forthwith and to hire any inspection staff necessary to carry out this mission at a salary to be approved by the Parliament (volunteer work is preferred).

Additionally, this Court hereby puts the snow measurement officials at LaGuardia Airport, and the management of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Notice that any further shenanigans like today's snow "measurement" at LGA could prompt this Court to expand the monitoring mission of Math's Commission to include monitoring, inspection and verification of snow measurements at LGA.

Hereby resolved and ordered.
Billg315
Chief Justice and Excellent Inquisitor

docstox12 wrote:

Frank_Wx wrote:1st call NJ Strong member reactions map

THIS is priceless and hilarious and will hang in a prominent place in OTI Parliament Building

CPcantmeasuresnow wrote:Classic Emperor Post from the March 7, 2018, Two foot storm in the HV.

docstox12 wrote:

Frank_Wx wrote:1st call NJ Strong member reactions map

THIS is priceless and hilarious and will hang in a prominent place in OTI Parliament Building

billg315 wrote:Emergent Advisory Opinion of the Supreme Judicial Court of OTI
Issued March 17, 2018

This Court has been advised of an attempt by some members, or portions of some members, of the OTI Community to secede from OTI breaking off an existing sector of the island for the creation of an independent state.

As this is an emergent matter this Court issues the following advisory opinion to Parliament and the citizens of OTI and urges the appropriate authorities to take the appropriate steps at the appropriate time, with a minimum of inappropriateness.

It is the opinion and holding of this Court that no sector or citizen of OTI may engage in secession from the government of OTI on existing OTI territory. While OTI cannot stop a citizen from abandoning the island and going to a completely new cyber island, a fissure of the existing island cannot be countenanced.

Case law from other jurisdictions sheds light on this issue.  In Texas v. White (U.S. S.Ct. 1869) the Court held that, “The union between Texas and the other states was as complete, as perpetual, and as indissoluble as the union between the original states. There was no place for reconsideration or revocation, except through revolution or through consent of the States.” Any attempt to split from the union was declared “null,” and all acts of secession were deemed illegal according to the “perpetual union.  This opinion, while not binding on this island, sets wise precedence that should be followed in this jurisdiction.  While secession could be possible with the consent of a majority of OTI Parliament and its citizens, short of that the only way to achieve such goal is by armed revolution, which this Court presumes the OTI Security Forces would counter with strong measures and maximum use of force.

It should be further noted that OTI exists at the pleasure of our Emperor, Frank Maximus.  Only he has the authority to create a new island – therefore the concept of starting a new government on a new island is moot unless a separate island thread was created by and approved of by Emperor Frank.  It seems in this court’s opinion that the Emperor would be unlikely to take such a step. We are fortunate he has granted us this limited real estate for our insanity let alone take up more of the website, er, cyber Mainland’s valuable bandwith.  It is bad enough that in recent days activities that surely should have been limited to OTI have crept into the mainland’s Banter and Storm threads. Now the Emperor is expected create a new space, when the old one is not being fully utilized and is encroaching upon his mainland empire??  This Court finds the suggestion preposterous.

THEREFORE, this Court concludes that secession is an unconstitutional and illegal act, and furthermore that short of Emperor Frank condoning such a step and creating a new island, OTI remains INDIVISIBLE.

God Bless OTI and All Hail Emperor Frank.

Billg315
Chief Justice and Excellent Inquisitor

CPcantmeasuresnow wrote:Another landmark decision by our Chief justice Billg, regarding the attempted secession of OOTI. A short video of the Chief Justice after his decision is also attached.

billg315 wrote:Emergent Advisory Opinion of the Supreme Judicial Court of OTI
Issued March 17, 2018

This Court has been advised of an attempt by some members, or portions of some members, of the OTI Community to secede from OTI breaking off an existing sector of the island for the creation of an independent state.

As this is an emergent matter this Court issues the following advisory opinion to Parliament and the citizens of OTI and urges the appropriate authorities to take the appropriate steps at the appropriate time, with a minimum of inappropriateness.

It is the opinion and holding of this Court that no sector or citizen of OTI may engage in secession from the government of OTI on existing OTI territory. While OTI cannot stop a citizen from abandoning the island and going to a completely new cyber island, a fissure of the existing island cannot be countenanced.

Case law from other jurisdictions sheds light on this issue.  In Texas v. White (U.S. S.Ct. 1869) the Court held that, “The union between Texas and the other states was as complete, as perpetual, and as indissoluble as the union between the original states. There was no place for reconsideration or revocation, except through revolution or through consent of the States.” Any attempt to split from the union was declared “null,” and all acts of secession were deemed illegal according to the “perpetual union.  This opinion, while not binding on this island, sets wise precedence that should be followed in this jurisdiction.  While secession could be possible with the consent of a majority of OTI Parliament and its citizens, short of that the only way to achieve such goal is by armed revolution, which this Court presumes the OTI Security Forces would counter with strong measures and maximum use of force.

It should be further noted that OTI exists at the pleasure of our Emperor, Frank Maximus.  Only he has the authority to create a new island – therefore the concept of starting a new government on a new island is moot unless a separate island thread was created by and approved of by Emperor Frank.  It seems in this court’s opinion that the Emperor would be unlikely to take such a step. We are fortunate he has granted us this limited real estate for our insanity let alone take up more of the website, er, cyber Mainland’s valuable bandwith.  It is bad enough that in recent days activities that surely should have been limited to OTI have crept into the mainland’s Banter and Storm threads. Now the Emperor is expected create a new space, when the old one is not being fully utilized and is encroaching upon his mainland empire??  This Court finds the suggestion preposterous.

THEREFORE, this Court concludes that secession is an unconstitutional and illegal act, and furthermore that short of Emperor Frank condoning such a step and creating a new island, OTI remains INDIVISIBLE.

God Bless OTI and All Hail Emperor Frank.

Billg315
Chief Justice and Excellent Inquisitor

The court has spoken and I will abide by the decision.

OTI court cameras recorded this evenings proceedings. That is me walking away dejectedly, but rules are rules. Nice hat Chief justice, I may get one myself, I did think you were a little abrupt with me but I'll recover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bQnxlHZsjY

docstox12 wrote:

mikeypizano wrote:My Polish half is very confused...

Mikey P

To help you in your understanding, this is the metaphor for OTI and it's offshoots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G11AhAIf18A