Hutori

[RIS]

President Jameson on the State of the Union

It is today with a heavy heart that I address the nation. It is today that intolerance has masqueraded as security. It is today that your liberties are assaulted in the name of protection. It is today friends of liberty we call you once more onto the breach to protect your freedoms. We all have stood together against tyranny before and once more it is knocking at our door. We have attempted avenues of peaceful dialogue yet they respond with force. Perhaps tomorrow we will be forced to make the unsavory yet ever present choice between security and liberty. Perhaps tomorrow we will be forced to resort to violence to defend ourselves and our liberties. However, that is not the fate of today. Today while we must increase security and prosecute those responsible for these acts violence it is not the day to hate each other for having a differing opinion. It is the hallmark of great society to debate and disagree without resorting to violence. A hallmark I believe if it is not something Hutori is now it is something we can achieve. Rest assured this administration will remain a defender of human rights. Because we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. As such we will continue to defend the right to practice, proselytize or abstain from religion because it is RIGHT.



It is with that promise President Jameson ended his address. After the address the administration issued a press release. The press release outlined measures for increased security and it announced several arrests that had been made in connection with the current bout of violence. Among the security measures outlined were increased police presence through out Hutori and the posting of military personnel at all government buildings. Press Secretary Allison Carter also stated that there were other security precautions being taken but said that she was unable to comment on what they were at this time. As for the arrest several hundred have been arrested on counts of assault, battery and disturbing the peace. However, Press Secretary Carter stated that the current administration was, is and always will be committed to peaceful resolutions.

[RIS]

Rebels Attack Civilians and the Military!

"It is with great sorrow that on this day I see intolerance and violence was won against the ever noble goals of dialogue and peace. However, we won't go quietly into night we will stand and fight for liberty!" It was that brief televised event that preceded the Hutorian 212th's deployment to the Capitol Building. The fighting took place over several hours finally ending when companies from the sixth infantry division arrived. Current estimates put the death toll around 1,756 of the 4,000 armed militants surrounding the capitol and 241 servicemen and women. The rest of the militants surrendered when companies from the sixth infantry division arrived. The surviving combatants are being held on counts of treason under military arrest. It is also believed that President Jameson was present in the capitol building during the firefight although reports are unconfirmed.


Hutorian 212th Defending the Capitol Building.

In related news the Federalist Party and ICDC headquarters were firebombed. The Federalist Party headquarters suffering significant damage but, no fatalities and the ICDC headquarters only suffering superficial damage. In the mist of those attacks and attacks on clergy and those with religious affiliation the FIA has announced the investigation into the Liberal People's Party for acts of treason and terrorism.

[Lizard250]

Breaking News

A significant number of formerly peaceful protesters, aggravated by the military's victory over the rebels surrounding the Capitol, have taken up arms against the government. The rebel forces have captured a military base in Kenai, summarily executing over 200 military personnel in revenge for those killed in the attack on the Capitol.


Rebels confront government forces in Bekenial, Adelia.


Rebels have destroyed more than 121 houses of worship and killed more than 250 clergymen, causing more than 20.000 religious persons to flee Hutori.


A church burning in Bekenial, Adelia


Christopher Wilkerson, the leader of the Liberal People's Party, has given a televised speech:

"The Federalist Party is nothing more than a glorified terrorist organization, a gang of thugs who subjugate the individual to tyranny. They perpetuate ultranationalist and communist policies; violating the rights of hutori citizens in the name of 'religious freedom' and 'national security', and causing widespread poverty in the name of 'fairness'. It is these crimes against liberty which have forced the Hutori people to take up arms against the government.

[...]

We, the Liberal People's Party, as defenders of liberty and justice, hereby pledge to liberate Hutori from religion, communism and fascism. To liberate Hutori from the tyranny of the Federalist Party!"


Christopher Wilkerson giving a speech in Constantine, Lagard.

[RIS]

Latest News on the Developments in Hutori

There have been several noteworthy developments in Hutori recently. Among them being foreign support, refuge for those escaping religious persecution, military developments and President Jameson's response to the Liberal People's Party leader.

After the recent attacks by those affiliated with the LPP against citizens who have religious affiliation President Jameson has secured refuge for them in neighboring Davostan. In an agreement made earlier today with President Rick Colemen of the Davostan Democratic Republic, Hutorian citizens escaping religious persecution may seek refuge within Davostan after undergoing an understandable security check. President Jameson made a further comment on the agreement stating that "... my hope that if they(Hutorian citizens) are not safe with in Hutori that they may find rest with in Davostan."


Hutorian Refugees Fleeing to Davostan

As for the conflict the tide has definitely shifted more in favor of government forces as they have secured all of Bekenial and have made significant advances into rebel held territory. This may be due in no small part to foreign aid as the Davostani government has committed monetary resources to the government's efforts and Zardugal has provided 255 military advisers trained in counter-terrorism with further support pending. The military base in Adelia has been recaptured with rebel forces taking significant losses in the process. However, unconfirmed reports say that military bases in southern Kenai have been taken where the rebels have found that former Ultra Nationalist are sympathetic to their cause.


Counter-Terrorism Advisors from Zardugal assisting Hutorian Forces

Also today President Jameson commented on statements made by Christopher Wilkerson. In his statement he said " I find it funny that they equate us to the HCU and UNP. When in fact it was us who opposed them, it was us who opposed the violence that UNP committed, it was us who opposed the HCU when the tried to remove our fundamental liberties. The LPP equates us to the HCU and UNP, violent instigators who tried to remove religious liberties among others. Now I ask you who really sounds like the HCU and UNP is it the Federalist who gave dialogue and peace a chance everywhere we could? Or is the LPP who proposes to remove your liberties and who attacks the innocent? They can call us communists and fascists all they want but, their words are of a hollow ring with the blood of innocence at their feet."

[Lizard250]

Breaking News

After a series of fierce battles which have left more than 4500 dead and 10.000 wounded, rebel forces have gained complete control over the State of Lagard and partial control over the States of Kenai and Adelia. The rebels, seeking to impose a complete prohibition on all forms of religious activity, have destroyed all houses of worship and killed more than 2200 clergymen in the territories under their control. All military prisons in the rebel-controlled territories have been closed, causing many former prisoners to join the ranks of the rebels. More than 170.000 religious persons, encouraged by the recent Hutori-Davostan agreement, have fled the country.


Rebels in Aylesbury, Lagard.


A bombing has destroyed the ICDC headquarters, leaving 87 dead and 461 wounded.


Remains of the ICDC headquarters


Christopher Wilkerson, the leader of the Liberal People's Party, has released a statement in response to attacks by the Federalist Party:

"The rebels may be brutal, but they avoid harming defenseless children. Something which cannot be said about statists and religious fanatics, whose prime targets always include the most vulnerable individuals."

[Lizard250]

Rebels declare intention to exterminate all forms of organized religion

"Religions, together with communism and fascism, are the biggest enemies of liberty. These abominations prevent the progress of humanity, by encouraging their bloodthirsty followers to kill, maim and terrorize those who do not conform to a barbaric set of rules.

[...]

We have nothing against God, and we have nothing against persons who believe in the existence of deities. What we despise are the barbaric rulebooks attributed to deities, the religions who strip the individual of liberty through force and fraud.

[...]

We will destroy every house of worship, we will kill every clergyman, and we will destroy every organ of religious propaganda. We will free Hutori from the tyranny of religion."



Rebel leader Taylor Bramwell, announcing the rebels' intention to eradicate organized religion in Hutori.

[RIS]

Rebel Oppression and Intolerance Mounts as Coalition Forces Push On

After the recent announcement by rebel forces Father Francis Aguirrie of the Terran Patriarchal Church, Archdiocese of Hutori has responded to the rebels' comments. When asked what he thought about the accusation of religiousness being responsible for death and terror he said " You can blame religion for barbarism all you want it is simply not a factor. Men kill each other every day for things such as food, power, and sometimes they even pervert religion for their cause. However, in our case anyone who does so isn't truly living by our doctrine of turn the other cheek." When asked about religion and it's affect on progress he stated "Who ever made such a statement must be extremely ignorant. It is religion that preserved knowledge that would have otherwise would have been lost. Some of the greatest scientific minds in history, men responsible for giant leaps forward were men of faith. To say that religion prevents progress isn't just ignorant...forgive me, but it is quite stupid." When asked about religion being contrary to liberty Father Aguirrie replied " Well I may be a little biased on the that question. However none of us are really truly free we are either bound by the laws of God or we are bound by the laws of man. It is only by obeying God's laws that we may free ourselves from man's laws. However, to answer the true question it is God's job to judge it is mine to love and if this is incompatible with their so called liberty then I want no part of it. But, day and night I pray for them, for them to kill based upon a difference of belief they must be troubled souls indeed."


Father Francis Aguirrie responds to rebel comments

As for the current conflict Coalition forces received a significant boost once again as the Aldegar Republic began providing large amounts of monetary and military resources to the aforementioned Coalition forces. It is with that much need boost that Coalition forces were able to reclaim all of Kenai and Adelia, further reinforce Falristan and Roccato, and even make a significant push into Lagard. While as a result of this recent activity there have been large amounts of causalities on both sides Coalition forces at the moment have the rebels both cornered and outnumbered.


Coalition forces pushing into Lagard

Before the current military advance President Jameson sent an invitation to Christopher Wilkerson. Stating that "He (Wilkerson) was the only man of reason who the rebels would listened to and that it was a joint responsibility of him (Wilkerson) and myself (Jameson) to avoid further bloodshed. The offer was for Wilkerson to join President Jameson in the capitol building to discuss a peace accord and following the recent military campaign has stated that the offer still stands.

[Lizard250]

Breaking News

Reports that more than 5000 members of the government forces have defected, providing training and assistance to the rebels, have been confirmed. There are also several unconfirmed reports that the rebels are receiving funding from the Liberal People's Party, The International Secularist Society and the Atheist Ultimatum.

Rebel forces maintain complete control over the State of Lagard, where they have merged with over 2000 defectors from the Lagard State Militia and seized funds in excess of 11 billion Hutori Lira.



Rebel forces in Lagard.


As a result of fierce battles which have left more than 7000 dead and 22.000 wounded, rebel forces have regained partial control over the States of Kenai and Adelia.



Rebel forces push back into Kenai.


Rebel forces in Lagard have launched a series of attacks against the Guardians of Virtue, a hosian extremist group infamous for it's extreme racism. The rebels have destroyed 8 properties and killed more than 1400 persons associated with the group, causing all of it's surviving members to flee Hutori.

Rebel forces in Lagard have killed at least 20 members of the Lions of Akim, an ahmadi extremist group. It is believed that the notorious terrorist Abdul Fattaah Nouri* is amongst those killed by the rebels.

As result of their victories over the hosian and ahmadi extremists, the rebels have gained the support of those frustrated by the government's inability to eliminate religious terrorism.



Territory controlled by rebel forces.


* Abdul Fattaah Nouri is a terrorist responsible for a series of bombings which killed 27 people in 3774.

[RIS]

55th Anniversary of the end of the Hutorian Religious Civil War

Today marks the fifty-fifth anniversary of the end of the Hutorian Religious Civil War. Today marks fifty-five years of stability and relative prosperity in Hutori. It was fifty-five years ago today that the Federalist led forces launched the attack on Lagard that would end the war. With the fifteen thousand troops under the command of government forces against the rebel’s nine thousand the results seemed like a forgone conclusion. However, the anti-religion forces were entrenched in their positions. What followed was a fierce battle that lasted several days and resulted in significant loss of life for both sides but, alas the Federalist emerged victorious. With the anti-religion forces suffering a near total defeat the Federalist led government agreed to not press charges of treason or other criminal activity in exchange the remaining rebel forces had to completely disarm. History records it being a fight of wording the difference between freedom of religion and freedom from religion a small but significant difference. However, one is to wonder if anything else contributed to the conflict. One thing is for sure it was due to this conflict that led directly to the Hutori Political Pact of Righteousness and Good Faith which is at least partially responsible for Hutori’s lengthy time of prosperity and stability. While it is unfortunate that it had to come out of such a bloody conflict it is none less a silver lining to an otherwise dark period in Hutorian history.

-via the Hutorian Associated Press

[colonelvesica]

NEW POLITICAL PARTY ON THE SCENE

A new political party has entered Hutorian politics and they are looking to take the nation by storm. The New Conservative Party, or NCP, are new right wing party, that are looking to give the voters a new alternative to the current hash of parties at the ballot box.


NCP Leader Thomas Morrow

Lead by the charismatic Thomas Morrow, a former economist and small business owner, the NCP is hoping to make some mild gain in the elections next year. Morrow has promised to bring "true traditional Hutorian values back to government." While new the NCP already published their platform, promising a strong foreign policy to bring Hutori into the international spotlight after years of relative quiet and isolation from their neighbours. If elected the NCP have promised to reach out with other regional nations and increase Hutori presence in all fields.

On the economic front one of their first drives is to cut the top income tax rate in half, and then perform a comprehensive tax reform from the ground up. As Morrow has stated. "The current economic climate for Hutori is stifling and our entire nation suffers because of it. It has been effectively oppressed by the neglect of the current ruling Federalists while the government takes all of the hard working gains of the citizenry."

The single most controversial part of the NCP platform is likely its desire to see a return of the Hutorian Monarchy; either by installing a new Hutorian Royal Family to the throne, or reviving the old link between Hutori and the Holy Luhorian Empire.