Editorial:
Comments from Our Speaker on The MilitiasKaliburg, Ananto
January 7, 4681Speaker of the Socialist Party of Kalistan, Comrade Rebecca Edwards BennotsDear Friends,
I have been asked today to write with regard to the Militia re-authorizations bill recently proposed by myself and four other SP representatives in the National Assembly. As we do not have seats, we do not have the power to obtain any votes for the bill, and it will likely fail to pass. But we do, under the constitution, have the right to propose legislation, and we have done so to let socalists from across Kalistani know that we are active once more as an organized political association, and furthermore, that we will be on the ballot in every District in the next General Elections. The Party has developed a slate for the Party Lists, and so we intend to make a concerted effort to obtain as many seats in the Assembly as possible, where we will certainly bring the matter up once again.
There are a few points I think it incumbent upon me, as the Speaker of the Socialist Party to address.
First, we fully endorse the
reorganization of the Regular Forces of Kalistan into the National Regular Army. The name of the organization is unimportant. If it is necessary for the Conservative Party to rename the organization, this is fine. The Regular, professional Army has served as a bedrock of Kalistani defenses since its inception centuries ago, and we have no doubt that in its current configuration, it will continue to do so. Looking at the organization of the force, we do not see much substantive difference between the current NRA and the old Regular Army, Regular Navy and Regular Air Force.
As such, we have no qualms, and will only take issue if the partisan controllers of the Government decide to use the new NRA against the citizens of our nation. We do not suggest that the Partisans in control of the Government will do so, though we note with some concern that the Conservative Party has recently moved legislation which gives the National Government the power to do exactly that as auxiliary to the police force, as well as the unfettered right to disperse crowds with force that it alone deems as a threat to general order. We are looking into ways to roll these powers back, to free Kalistani citizens from even the hint that legitimate demonstrations will be broken up by the professional military, and in the meantime, we are doing our part to build connections with the Regular Army to remind all soldiers, sailors and airmen of their duty to uphold the law and to resist unlawful orders.
With regard to the Militia, it is important that we do not repeat ourselves. The Socialist Party had the most professionalized of all Partisan militias at one point in time. What they have devolved into is problematic, we cannot deny, and we do not fault the National Government for taking steps to curb abuses of the Militia law. These steps to bring order to Kalistan after a long period of disorder are worthy of our acknowledgment and respect. However: the caveat is, a total banning of all militia activities by the Conservatives, we feel is a step too far. We have invited the Government to work with us to develop a new framework for partisan forces which allows independent security activity which is apart from a National Regular Army that can easily be captured by a fascist power, should that fascist power obtain a narrow majority in the National Assembly, and then used to crush the liberties of the Citizens of Kalistan. It has happened before, and we do not doubt that with newly increased political activity, it will surely happen again.
We can not leave the citizens of Kalistan entirely defenseless in the face of fascism within or imperialism without. Militias have formed a very important part of the National Defense Doctrine of Kalistan, and it is our hope that we can work with the Government to provide them some roles in the future. We have mentioned that if there is no compromise between the two positions which may be amicably reached, the Socialist Party intends, once it achieves a legislative majority, to absolutely re-institute the right of Parties to maintain militias. In the meanwhile, it is our hope that we can work together with the National Government to craft a solution to the issue which takes BOTH of our sides legitimate concerns into account.
Meanwhile, it is with great pride and enthusiasm that the Socialist Party of Kalistan has begun to open Socialist Party Shooting and Drill Clubs on private lands across the Republic. We will operate entirely within the law, using only legally owned and purchased firearms. We will conduct gun safety classes which will be open to the Community, as well as practice shooting live ammunition at stationary targets in known distance courses designed by three veterans of the Regular Army. All bivouacing and drill events will be open to Socialist Party members only, but during times when firing ranges are not being utilized, our shooting ranges will be fully staffed and open to the public for their own amusement and enjoyment. We hope to see everyone there, most especially Socialists of service age, and all veterans who would care to share their experience and anecdotes with younger comrades. It is imperative that even in these times, we prepare.
I thank you for your time and your indulgence, and wish you Peace and Equality,
Sister Rebecca Edwards-BennotsSpeaker of the Socialist Party of Kalistan
Kaliburg Yearly Meeting, Convinced Friend, Kaliburg Ananto