Okay, usually I’m all for a good bout of cynicism, but when it goes from [observable event in a fictitious setting] to [an over-generalization encompassing everything on a topic being inherently bad at this very moment] in two step…I got to say “slow down.” Cynicism is like making love – you got to ease into it, or it’s really unsatisfactory…usually…
While no country may be the “epitome” of good governance and civic responsibility, you’re quite, quite wrong with stating politicians would be the same everywhere.
Compare for example http://www.transparency.org/research/cpi/overview for data on this…
Except for their all too casual racism and some sexism, they aren’t half bad. They seem to be around World War 2 America for the most part as far as being ‘progressive’ is concerned.
Not that I like or condone corruption in government, but you might as well play the political game if your goals are at least truly for the good of your people and it’s the only way to get it done. It’s dirty, but at least what Byron and adventurers want is not a bad thing.
“Corruption is dishonest actions that destroy trust in a person or group.”
I fail to see how Byron (current adventurer) and Syr’Nj (former adventurer, now legislator) would be at all dishonest in presenting a case to the other Heads to recognize a group of people and their desire to incorporate and legally conduct business in their chosen trade, and how it will benefit all parties. If it could be agreed upon honestly, then no corruption.
It would be corruption if Syr, acting as representative of the Guildies’ interests, makes an agreement that would be harmful to them, and/or benefit her in some way that is not legal or moral.
Lobbying is not, in and of itself, corruption.
Admittedly, Byron is able to give some nice after-hours perks for his Head Of House, should she be successful…but I think that’s something he’d freely give, and wouldn’t use it as a ‘tool of negotiation’.
Likely it just looks somewhat corrupt in the most basic of views, “Head of House sponsors proposal by her lover to give war criminals government jobs”, which is what the public often sees. It is certainly what anyone who dislikes the proposal would try to plaster anywhere that can hold a poster.
And if I remember correctly, her position as a head of house is due to her status as Wood Elf royalty rather than her position in the group of adventurers. Representing the latter could be interpreted as ignoring her duties in favor of her boyfriend and colleagues in adventuring. This would let the other heads of houses use her as a scapegoat for problematic relations between the Wood Elves and Gastonia.
I’m not sure if what’s being described is necessarily corrupt. Politician A supports Politician B’s proposal, in exchange for Politician B’s support on Politician A’s proposal, is pretty much the nature of compromise in a legislature.
More like Politician A supports Politician B’s proposal, but only if Politician B is willing to take all the blame for presenting it.
Happens all the time. All the ‘leaders’ know what has to be done, but it will be unpopular with some group, so none of them are willing to take the blame.
I don’t believe Syr’nj would be doing anything corrupt thing, should she agree, she would not be doing it because her boyfriend wants her to but because she believes it to be right. It would LOOK corrupt, however, as motivations are not always obvious.
Thought Crockett wore the white sports jacket with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow? We are talking about the cool original 80’s version, and not the lame-ass-shyte movie-kickintheballsreboot?
in my local larp, we once had a city mayor who ran on a platform of “absolute corruption” every policy was sold to the highest bidder. He was largely one of the more successful mayors.
Just because you use the tools of others (dirty or otherwise) does not itself make you as dirty as the tools you used (and no, it does not start you down the slippery log-roll of coruption, unless you let it, in which case, you were already on the log to start with)
I may be alone, but I really like Ardaic. He’s not clearly good or bad, he’s more of a grey area type… To me he comes across as more complex that way, whereas no matter how flawed or multi-faceted the main group is they’re still “the good guys.” (Which isn’t a bad thing. I love each of them in their own rights.) I don’t know, Ardaic seems to be the type of character that wants to do good but tries to do it while “following the rules” as best he can.
Eh, but I’m just rambling to myself anyway. That’s my two cents.
While it might be necessary? While it might not even be frowned on, by them? I feel like she should keep herself above the corruption, as much as possible. Not let herself be dragged into it. Otherwise the system will change her, and not the other way around.
….But. She might not have a choice. Especially since she wouldn’t actually be compromising any of her ideals – she’d just… be perceived as it. DX Which is almost as bad, but it carries less risk of becoming truly corrupted.
Gastonia is… not exactly the epitome of good governance and civic responsibility, is it?
Show me a country that is.
Politicians are the same everywhere.
Yep. They find out that they fail at trying to do for themselves, so they turn to politics to force others to do it for them.
Okay, usually I’m all for a good bout of cynicism, but when it goes from [observable event in a fictitious setting] to [an over-generalization encompassing everything on a topic being inherently bad at this very moment] in two step…I got to say “slow down.” Cynicism is like making love – you got to ease into it, or it’s really unsatisfactory…usually…
Yet there are still times when it’s better to get things over and done with.
Ooh, how romantic?
Screw that.
If you believe anything at all, you’re gullible.
What if I don’t believe that you actually believe in not believing? What am I then?
I can’t deny it’s ironic that at some point I grew cynical about cynicism.
When it comes to politics, 50 shades of cynicism is just foreplay.
While no country may be the “epitome” of good governance and civic responsibility, you’re quite, quite wrong with stating politicians would be the same everywhere.
Compare for example http://www.transparency.org/research/cpi/overview for data on this…
Just check out what’s going on in Czechia right now if you need convinced how low some politicians are setting the bar.
Except for their all too casual racism and some sexism, they aren’t half bad. They seem to be around World War 2 America for the most part as far as being ‘progressive’ is concerned.
Love it. The whole system’s corrupt, so it’s kind of expected for you to chip in every now and then Syr’nj.
And now I’m talking to myself.
You are indeed. I love how apparently sentient the Gravatar RNG is…
Corruption, use it sucka!
Not that I like or condone corruption in government, but you might as well play the political game if your goals are at least truly for the good of your people and it’s the only way to get it done. It’s dirty, but at least what Byron and adventurers want is not a bad thing.
“Corruption is dishonest actions that destroy trust in a person or group.”
I fail to see how Byron (current adventurer) and Syr’Nj (former adventurer, now legislator) would be at all dishonest in presenting a case to the other Heads to recognize a group of people and their desire to incorporate and legally conduct business in their chosen trade, and how it will benefit all parties. If it could be agreed upon honestly, then no corruption.
It would be corruption if Syr, acting as representative of the Guildies’ interests, makes an agreement that would be harmful to them, and/or benefit her in some way that is not legal or moral.
Lobbying is not, in and of itself, corruption.
Admittedly, Byron is able to give some nice after-hours perks for his Head Of House, should she be successful…but I think that’s something he’d freely give, and wouldn’t use it as a ‘tool of negotiation’.
Likely it just looks somewhat corrupt in the most basic of views, “Head of House sponsors proposal by her lover to give war criminals government jobs”, which is what the public often sees. It is certainly what anyone who dislikes the proposal would try to plaster anywhere that can hold a poster.
And if I remember correctly, her position as a head of house is due to her status as Wood Elf royalty rather than her position in the group of adventurers. Representing the latter could be interpreted as ignoring her duties in favor of her boyfriend and colleagues in adventuring. This would let the other heads of houses use her as a scapegoat for problematic relations between the Wood Elves and Gastonia.
Enviable Access… awww, he’s sweet on her. Ardaic x Syr’nj, NHP!
NHP? I am unfamiliar with that one.
No hope pairing? But Google couldn’t find that, so perhaps it was just invented.
Niel Hatrick Paris. That’s all I got form that.
Niel did a hat trick in Paris? When did he go to France?
I’m not sure if what’s being described is necessarily corrupt. Politician A supports Politician B’s proposal, in exchange for Politician B’s support on Politician A’s proposal, is pretty much the nature of compromise in a legislature.
I’m pretty sure…ah….planting your root in a politician to get their support is not considered kosher in any (non-corrupt) political system.
Well, doing it *obviously* isn’t, anyways. :D
So, just because your partner happens to be a poli-tick, you can’t ask them for support?
More like Politician A supports Politician B’s proposal, but only if Politician B is willing to take all the blame for presenting it.
Happens all the time. All the ‘leaders’ know what has to be done, but it will be unpopular with some group, so none of them are willing to take the blame.
I don’t believe Syr’nj would be doing anything corrupt thing, should she agree, she would not be doing it because her boyfriend wants her to but because she believes it to be right. It would LOOK corrupt, however, as motivations are not always obvious.
Agreed
“Gastonia Vice”
Crockett – Byron
Tubbs – Frigg. or Syr
Castillo – Ardaic
No! The image of Frigg in a pastel shirt and white jacket has just seared it’s self into my brain.
Thought Crockett wore the white sports jacket with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow? We are talking about the cool original 80’s version, and not the lame-ass-shyte movie-
kickintheballsreboot?Lobbying? DON’T YOU MEAN LOBBEARING
WITH SUCH CHARACTERS AS BYRON THE BEARACRAT
the last panel face:
-_-
I think Ardaic just cracked a joke….and is that a hint of a smile in the last panel?
Nothing good can come of this.
in my local larp, we once had a city mayor who ran on a platform of “absolute corruption” every policy was sold to the highest bidder. He was largely one of the more successful mayors.
Love the middle guy’s expression in the last panel.
Just because you use the tools of others (dirty or otherwise) does not itself make you as dirty as the tools you used (and no, it does not start you down the slippery log-roll of coruption, unless you let it, in which case, you were already on the log to start with)
I may be alone, but I really like Ardaic. He’s not clearly good or bad, he’s more of a grey area type… To me he comes across as more complex that way, whereas no matter how flawed or multi-faceted the main group is they’re still “the good guys.” (Which isn’t a bad thing. I love each of them in their own rights.) I don’t know, Ardaic seems to be the type of character that wants to do good but tries to do it while “following the rules” as best he can.
Eh, but I’m just rambling to myself anyway. That’s my two cents.
….It’s a fair point. But. I don’t know.
While it might be necessary? While it might not even be frowned on, by them? I feel like she should keep herself above the corruption, as much as possible. Not let herself be dragged into it. Otherwise the system will change her, and not the other way around.
….But. She might not have a choice. Especially since she wouldn’t actually be compromising any of her ideals – she’d just… be perceived as it. DX Which is almost as bad, but it carries less risk of becoming truly corrupted.