Fwurg

[Nehket Aeka]

"Fellow senators,

Due to the appearance of the the processes from Sector 13 -4 we have a difficult decision ahead of us. At this moment, it is unclear whether these processes are alive or not, or whether they are actually sentient at all. They themselves claim they are not alive according to the Definition of Life act.

Because the status of the processes is unclear, I propose to enact one of the following amendments to the Definition of Life act. Of course, based on their conditional declaration of war, we can also opt not to afford them a membership, and instead respond to their threat of war in kind."

The chancellor had three documents distributed:

Option A: Amendment to the Definition of Life Act I

7. A provisional exception to this act is made for the group of entities calling themselves the IO Processes in sector 13 -4: they will be defined 'alive'.
7.1. This exception is provisional, until such time that an independent committee has determine the status of these entities.
7.2. The committee will present it's findings no later than 110.
7.3. Should the committee declare the group of entities alive, the exception will be made permanent.

Option B: IO Protocol Research Project Indepency Act

1. Though declared non-living by the Definition of Life Act, the group of entities calling themselves the IO Processes in sector 13 -4 will be afforded the status of 'Inner World' on the basis that they are an ongoing research project.
1.1. They will retain this status until such time that the party responsible for this research project is identified.

Option C: Amendment to the Definition of Life Act II

7. The group of entities known as as the IO Processes, hailing from Sector 13 -4, will be defined as 'living'.

"The options for this vote are:

• Option A: I support the 'Amendment to the Definition of Life Act I'
• Option B: I support the enactment the IO Protocol Research Project Indepency Act
• Option C: I support the 'Amendment to the Definition of Life Act II'
• Option D: I do not support an exception.

The following member worlds may vote:

• Astai Republic
  
• Confederacy of Excaria
  
• Federal Republic of Bisidn
  
• Free Peoples of Wrarrbo
  
• High Chiefdom of Skuldda
  
• Hiocan Society
  
• Inter-System Charter Company
  
• Interregnum Democracy of Scir
  
• Kingdom of Komès
  
• Kingdom of Meritonia
  
• Liberal Assencia
  
• Miomanian Colonists
  
• New Communist Imperium of the Rising Suns of Deominius
  
• Principality of Suma
  
• Silver Forests of Remunzia
  
• Socialist Republic of Niom
  
• Sundarian Federation
  
• Teprogrenaian Consensus
  
• Unified Republic of Darya

Voting closes on Saturday the 16th of February."

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"We of the Teprogrenaian Consensus believe that the defenition of life act should be respected, as we have voted to let it pass. However we also think that the IO Processes deserves a change to prove themselves as more than a program. Therefore we vote Option B, we support the IO Protocol as research project."

[Senator Shahkra of the Federal Republic of Bisidn]

"The republic of Bisidn votes Option A, as we think the IO Protocol can add valuable input to our cultural development. But we are unable to determine if they are alive or not at this point in time."

[Senator Lonco Morubixaba of Skuldda]

"What a hassle for somebody joining the Union or not. I vote Option C, and call upon everybody to do the same to get over this ridiculous 'life act'."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

The Sundarian Federation supports application of the IO processes for membership, however there is still some internal debate on the grounds of the membership.

We feel that option C is perhaps a to bold a statement as our scientists have clearly requested more time to investigate the matter in more detail. Option A however could possibly be harmful to the changes of trade with the IO processes, as the uncertainty of the there membership, could hamper their ability to trade, our advisers are also of the opinion that the term of 20 might be to short to reach a conclusion.
This results in us being left with either option B or D, and since we have no desire for war and we believe that the membership of the IO processes could benefit the Union we vote for Option B.

[Senator Enrorgh of Meritonia]

The Kingdom of Meritonia is of the opinion that the IO processes could be a valuable contribution to the Union, whether they are alive or not is merely a question of understanding and knowledge. While no real evidence suggests that they are alive, the IO processes have demonstrated awareness and a capability of reasoning and communication, beyond the capabilities of current technology. We would ask for more research to conducted in this field, but the economical benefits should out way a choice based on our (limited) understanding.

We vote Option C .

[Senator Afra Mesti Vanlind of Komès]

We, of the Kingdom of Komès, agree with the Senator of Skuldda. We cannot afford a war at this time, nor do we need to bicker over such a detail when the benefits are clear. We vote Option C.

[Senator Salixa of the Silver Forests of Remunzia]

Remunzia abstains on this vote.

[Senator Acehtoo of the Miomanian Colonists]

We vote option B

[Atheos]

"We think that definitions and semantics should not prevent a group from joining the union if this is beneficial to us not just economically but also culturally and think that processes may be a valuable addition, therefore we vote option C."

[Representative Anselim of the Free Peoples of Wrarrbo]

Wrarrbo votes option B

[Former Senator Aunzora of the Confederacy of Excaria]

We vote option B for reasons that are too numerous and too obvious to explain.

[Representative Lophos of the Interregnum Democracy of Scir]

Scir also votes option B.

[Representative Uriel of Liberal Assencia]

Liberal Assencia votes option B.

[Senator Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius]

Deominius believes this question should have been delegated to them, but will vote option B.

[Senator Ght'Twwf of the Socialist Republic of Niom]

"The Socialist Republic of Niom votes for option B, for the IO Protocol Research Project Indepency Act."

[Senator Gregory Konev]

the unified republic of darya votes for option B.

[Senator Harek]

"The Hiocan Society finds it logical to first investigate the matter before making a decision whether the IO processes are alive or not. We vote for option B."

[Senator Arzag of Suma]

"As there is not much information and time for thorough consultation we abstain from this vote."

[Nehket Aeka]

"The results are in:

Option A - 1 votes
Option B - 11 votes
Option C - 4 votes
Option D - 0 votes

3 abstained.

Absolute majority for Option B, the IO Protocol Research Project Indepency Act will be enacted as of now."