What Happened

[Ranma Tardis]

What happened to a German themed group of sims? If AA is brought into the CDS the first theme will be outnumbered by 5 to 1. I always had a dream of a group of Germanic based sims. A possible help in rediscovering my Associated German Roots.

1. came colonial nova, then Alpine Meadows and the cn clone. Now bringing in 8 new sims that are based on something completely different. The CDS has been going in the wrong direction for a number of years. This is caused by a constitution that is very easy to change. There is no need for a period of public review and it is done in a regular RA session. Difference between the two is just a matter of votes. Then there is the secrecy of who votes and adequate means of checking if one person controls more than one avatar. With the collapse of Wall Street in America due to so many "trusted" people it make me suspicious. It is nice to have trust but as Ronald Reagen said "trust but verify". How can their be a democracy when their is not a positive method of confirming the avatars right to vote. There are so many alts in SL this is impossible. Even if they are required to vote online and in person there is no way to stop a person from having more that one avatar online and using proxy servers to hide the real IP. I have always claimed the CDS has attracted a large group of very talented people.

2. Expect to be attacked by a number of people renouncing me as racists but it is a false charge. Having a group of German based mountain themes is like having a home owners association making and enforcing it rules. Very often they decide what types of construction is allowed, what type of building materials, antennas and even how the yard should be maintained. There is nothing in it about who can live there. The discrimination due to race, gender, species, marital status, sexual orientation, etc is not allowed. I really enjoy the German Alps and the homes there. I have a memory of my grandmother holding me in her lap and singing to me in German. Second life is not limited like real life. There can be a limitless amount of sims, tping makes it easy to go to any destination. The Avatars do not need to sleep thus they need no homes, etc.

3. I would call the democratic government a failure. The founders were driven out of the sim they made after turning it over to the group. Then came Michail and his group. My memory fails me was it once or twice he was driven out? After this happened a new group who back AA came into the CDS and have taken over. I need to do some research but the government of the CDS has been overthrown at least twice in 5 years.

4. I am writing this more to clear the record and to show that democracy in SL is not possible. It lacks the checks and balances of real life. The current CDS is a popolarists style of government not reflective of its population. You can congratulate yourselves all day but until outside people agree it is meaningless.

5. If the CDS has to shed a sim am able and willing to take over Neaultenberg. It will not be a democracy but a tribute to its founders. I miss both Kendra and Ulrika and am still a member of their groups.

6. Before anyone has a fit, please remember I am not pointing the finger or blaming anyone. Try to play nice ok? Even though disagree with them, I respect their points of view regarding this issue. I also honor their commitment to the Neautenberg Projekt. Five years is an eternity in second life and they have stuck it out during the good, bad and ugly. So while our views differ have nothing but respect for them.

[Sonja Strom]

Expansion of the democratic area to include Northern Roman and now *possibly* Andalusian sims does not mean we can not also expand to include more Alpine German sims. They are not mutually exclusive. All three of these cultural areas are included in plans currently under discussion in the General Master Plan (GMP) Workgroup of the CDS Guild in ways that make sense. Here is a good thread for some of this information: http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2409. Al Andalus is not included in the possible plans posted there, because as of yet no direct connection between AA and the CDS exists. However, some maps of a possible geographic joining of AA with the existing CDS sims have been put together for purposes of discussion about such a joining. I don't know if they are posted anywhere on the web, but they are on display at the Guild Sandbox (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Colonia%20Nova/213/73/23).

For a long time I have had a concern that Neufreistadt might end up being at the top of a circular volcanic island in the ocean, and, unfortunately, I still have this concern. For one thing, so far as I know the plans currently under discussion in the GMP Workgroup have not yet been adopted. The Master Plan currently in effect is to be found here: http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2387. To me it is much more important that the Alpine German area be expanded with care and in an attractive way than that it be done quickly. The way I see it, we have a great chance to make Neufreistadt one of the most highly-regarded towns in Second Life. If topographically simple sims are attached to it only going down to sea level on all sides, then this opportunity will be lost. I mean, the town of NFS is pretty cute, but in the future its surrounding area will determine its context and overall appearance. To give an example, the RL town of Anzere (http://www.anzere.ch/de/Orte) is not famous because it is at the top of a small island...

Let me be clear, I really like small islands -- just not so much with walled medieval Alpine-German towns on the tops of them.

It does not seem to me like these planning and cultural issues have much to do with the CDS Constitution or how easily it can be altered, but I am open to conversations about that as a separate issue. If the CDS government is not truly representing the wishes of its citizens - and not trying to find every way it can to do so - then it is illegitimate and fraudulent. If that is the case, then I agree with you it is a failure. At this point it does not seem to me like that is the case. This said, it is also almost always impossible everybody will be completely happy with any decision made on behalf of any community. My feeling is, good government does everything it can to include minority interests in the direction of what the majority wants.

My experience of Michel was not so much that he was driven out as that he became frustrated and chose to leave. Maybe this is because I am one of the "popolarists" of whom you speak; but I don't know, I could understand his choice because I have also come close to leaving a couple of times. Now I have an "I am happy in the CDS" feeling, because in the last few months I have come to like the CDS more than I had over the previous year.

[Ranma Tardis]

Expansion of the democratic area to include Northern Roman and now *possibly* Andalusian sims does not mean we can not also expand to include more Alpine German sims. They are not mutually exclusive. All three of these cultural areas are included in plans currently under discussion in the General Master Plan (GMP) Workgroup of the CDS Guild in ways that make sense. Here is a good thread for some of this information: http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2409. Al Andalus is not included in the possible plans posted there, because as of yet no direct connection between AA and the CDS exists. However, some maps of a possible geographic joining of AA with the existing CDS sims have been put together for purposes of discussion about such a joining. I don't know if they are posted anywhere on the web, but they are on display at the Guild Sandbox (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Colonia%20Nova/213/73/23).

This plans marginalizes Neualtenburg and its theme which has been drastically changed by those who overthrew the founders, My belief is they should of never been tougher since they were so different. Kendra and Ulrika had a socialist government clearly in mind. It would be a tribute to her to reestablish her dream. The new "majority" did not have the same dream so there was conflict. Almost as soon as they established control of the sim the conflict became more intense. To be fair I understand the motivations and concerns of the new majority but someone being wrong does not make you right. Did they plan for this to happen? hm probably not some things get set in motion and the event grows larger than our ability to control it.

For a long time I have had a concern that Neufreistadt might end up being at the top of a circular volcanic island in the ocean, and, unfortunately, I still have this concern. For one thing, so far as I know the plans currently under discussion in the GMP Workgroup have not yet been adopted. The Master Plan currently in effect is to be found here: http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2387. To me it is much more important that the Alpine German area be expanded with care and in an attractive way than that it be done quickly. The way I see it, we have a great chance to make Neufreistadt one of the most highly-regarded towns in Second Life. If topographically simple sims are attached to it only going down to sea level on all sides, then this opportunity will be lost. I mean, the town of NFS is pretty cute, but in the future its surrounding area will determine its context and overall appearance. To give an example, the RL town of Anzere (http://www.anzere.ch/de/Orte) is not famous because it is at the top of a small island...

Shows the sims do not take to being attached and Neualtenburg should determine what surrounds it not the other. Do you know most people laugh when "neufers" are brought up. It is consider to be a big joke with my friends. The rulers of the CDS take themselves too seriously.

Let me be clear, I really like small islands -- just not so much with walled medieval Alpine-German towns on the tops of them.

I really like this theme and it was not in the plan to place Neualtenburg on top, it was suppose to be on a hill a part of a much bigger group of sims. Since you and a lot of others do not want this sort of sim why do you insist on tormenting it and those who do? The majority has driven away the minority with their arrogance and condescending speech? It was never their intent on making the Neualtenburg theme work. Very soon CN came along. I plead guilty on the charged of having pushed to have the sims joined. At the time with TP's being fracked so often it seemed like the right thing to do. It is my desire to rebirth the ideals and intents of Neualtenburg at the same time as removing most of the democracy. The new Peoples Quorum, Commissar, and Guild Leader will all have to agree on something. Yes this will lead to a static society but we all get hit with "change" in our real lifes. It is in my genes to like stability. *grins*

It does not seem to me like these planning and cultural issues have much to do with the CDS Constitution or how easily it can be altered, but I am open to conversations about that as a separate issue. If the CDS government is not truly representing the wishes of its citizens - and not trying to find every way it can to do so - then it is illegitimate and fraudulent. If that is the case, then I agree with you it is a failure. At this point it does not seem to me like that is the case. This said, it is also almost always impossible everybody will be completely happy with any decision made on behalf of any community. My feeling is good government does everything it can to include minority interests in the direction of what the majority wants.

How many alts are in the CDS? Who are these people in the CDS. How does this give them control of the CDS. It is impossible to do a positive conformation while maintaining the strict "privacy" demanded. Thus if the system can be abusive it should considered to have been done. Everyone has a breaking point and this can be reinforced if someone considers it "in the public good".

My experience of Michel was not so much that he was driven out as that he became frustrated and chose to leave. Maybe this is because I am one of the "popolarists" of whom you speak; but I don't know, I could understand his choice because I have also come close to leaving a couple of times. Now I have an "I am happy in the CDS" feeling, because in the last few months I have come to like the CDS more than I had over the previous year.

The majority drove them out with their frustrating behavior. The Princess just wanted full "accountability" which is to this day not done. An audit of anything can not be done by the management of the entity being audited. Thus there will always be in the back of peoples minds a doubt. Like the people in the "show me" state I want to see real proof that the money is in the proper accounts. In my thirty years of government service have seen way too many "honest likable" people in reality stealing large sums of money because it became impossible to resist the temptation. Like her I wonder if the bank account is really there and not being able to see for myself fosters mistrust.

I am being hard on those that overthrew Kendra and Ulrika and it is not my intention to point fingers. I also do not belief that Neualtenburg, Roman Themes and AA can exist so closely tougher. It is like mixing oil and water, nobody wants to intrude on others but despite our desires it happens anyway. Yea, I can hear the follow up calling me a racists but remember real cities are a lot larger than sl ones and much more able to have different parts without smothering the different aspects. Also I say nothing about the nature of the residents. There should be no separating due to a avatars age, sex, sexual intently, etc. If Neualtenburg and Alpine was removed from the landscape everything will come tougher for the joining of the Roman Sims and AA. It will be run and populated by liked minded people. The CDS has shown a awful history on how it treats the minority. The same problems keep happening over and over and over again. Something needs to break the cycle. If the new CDS has the same problems then it will have to reexamine their process. I want nothing to do with it myself. I love the Neualtenburg theme which is not liked by many so why do you still have it? I will submit a proposal in another thread.

I do not claim to be 100 percent correct and do not intend on insulting however will never let this majority have its way with me again. I refuse as always to give them my quiet obedient consent.

Peace be with you and may you find happiness.

Be Well,

Ranma

[Sonja Strom]

I don't know much more to say about what you have posted here except to remind you that the leading party in the CDS government is your former party, the SP. Perhaps if you would become a citizen again and participate in the community then you would be able to change more than you are able to standing outside of it, looking in and commenting on those of us who are in it.

Mostly I am participating in the CDS because I care about it. My views are my views, and that's about all. The reason I work for anything in the CDS is because I believe doing so would make it a better place. My views can be changed - and sometimes they do change - but I can not take them away. If your and my views are different, then I guess it is simply so.

Thank you for your good wishes. Having them is the only thing of real importance to me at the end of the day. After all, we are nothing more than a group of organised neutrons anyway.

All the best to you,
mit herzlichen Grüβen
Sonja

[Ranma Tardis]

I don't know much more to say about what you have posted here except to remind you that the leading party in the CDS government is your former party, the SP. Perhaps if you would become a citizen again and participate in the community then you would be able to change more than you are able to standing outside of it, looking in and commenting on those of us who are in it.

It is not the same party without Rudy The CDS is more concerned in how the government functions but not how well the government functions. Form is everything to them as well as excuses. Being in the military makes me get a might miffed when hearing all of those excuses.

Mostly I am participating in the CDS because I care about it. My views are my views, and that's about all. The reason I work for anything in the CDS is because I believe doing so would make it a better place. My views can be changed - and sometimes they do change - but I can not take them away. If your and my views are different, then I guess it is simply so.

So true, perhaps I should try and recreate Neaultenberg on my own. The shape of the current sim is not the shape of the new one. I do need research material. Seperating Neuf and Alpines would be a great help in the GMP. neufs height and then the "ski slope" make it very hard to make a plan.
Sad but true do not think we can overcome our differences. I lost so many battles that my self esteem was beginning to suffer. I have decided the CDS is a hostile place to me since we disagree on almost all things. Oh just because we disagree doe not mean we can not be friends The CDS is going to have to make some hard decisions. It is the clear view that a cute little German town is not their vision by word and deed.

Thank you for your good wishes. Having them is the only thing of real importance to me at the end of the day. After all, we are nothing more than a group of organized neutrons anyway.

I give our brains more credit than that but am a believer. It is my way but will not sink to demeaning others to reinforce my beliefs. As we say in the Army "It is out of my lane"

Have a really special weekend!!

your friend

Ranma