Grassroots - the Official Newspaper of Bomballey

[A Former User]

Grassroots is the official publication of Bomballey, basing itself almost entirely on citizen and freelance journalism. All citizens of Bomballey may submit articles to the branches of the agency, located both within and abroad.

[A Former User]

Factory occupations, wildcat strikes, and nullification: a Communist future for Eastern Haane

The unofficial vote taken by the General Council to reject what have become known as the "Reform Amendments** has set Eastern Haane ablaze. Led by ad-hoc 'workers' councils, wildcat strikes and factory occupations have swept through the country, with an estimated 48% of workplaces coming under workers' control and about 31% of the population participated in strikes. The General Union of Workers - the largest union in Eastern Haane - has publicly endorsed this process of autogestion, stating that it constitutes a 'massive step' toward socialism. Such a sentiment is echoed by the workers' councils, many of which have declared themselves to be communist and socialist in nature.

These revolutionary events have been paralleled by what appears to be a forming self-coup. In essence, the French Council Republic exercised its constitutional right to in a way declare a new state - in this case, a sort of 'Union', labeled as being 'participatory' and 'for the people' (a euphemism for socialism or communism? perhaps, even likely) - while also, through 'nullification', beginning the process of dissolving the General Council. As the Corporate Chamber is discussing such a series of events, it appears that such a thing will be our new political future.

Massive political change, perhaps even violent revolution, is at this point assured. Be ready.

[A Former User]

Kiel Workers' Council storms Schloss, 'arresting' councilmembers

The Kiel Workers' Council - one of many formed in this revolutionary state - has stormed Kieler Schloss - the current legislative building - taking into custody all one hundred council members.

In an event described as "terrifying" by onlookers, wildcat strikers, assisted by workers from a now occupied bakery, broke into the building.

"The shouting...oh, the shouting, the screaming...everything was chaos, as if the world, the entirety of the world, had shattered into pieces upon pieces upon pieces, was shattering yet, shattering, shattering, shattering...there was no sense, no order to made out of it at all. It was a horrifying, terrifying cacophony of evil that was, is, and always will be impossible to describe," said a witness who wishes to remain unidentified.

A large 'swarm' of armed people then proceeded to enter the building, after which there was absolute silence.

"That silence was perhaps the most terrifying of my life. None of us knew what was happening. They went in...who knows? Perhaps there was a massacre going on, a massacre we would be blind to until they came out," said another witness.

Fifteen minutes later, the strikers exited the building, escorting, at gunpoint, the one hundred members of the General Council.

Their whereabouts are currently unknown; however, the Kiel Workers' Council has issued a statement saying that they are safe in custody in a location that is to remain undisclosed.

The Corporate Chamber, currently in session to discuss the process of nullification and 'unionization' begun by the High Council of the French Council Republic, has not been affected by these events.

More information forthcoming.

[A Former User]

Becker alleges voting irregularities as violence worsens

In a statement made this morning, Interim Councillor Helga Becker alleged voting irregularities in yesterday's elections to the European Commission.

"Now look at it. 50,1% of voters voting for Juncker. Juncker. A career politician, no different than the rest. Now, from my point of view, this is strange. Did we not abstain from voting for Trympov or Whiteford; and even Reynels? Why Juncker? It makes no sense, and when something makes no sense, it is an irregularity. I know for a fact that our good people, the people of Eastern Haane, would never tolerate such a thing, never even think of doing such a thing. Someone obviously tampered with the vote; someone tried to subvert the will of the people. The General Council, perhaps - given their behavior, it is likely, especially since they appear to have misreported our results to the Union."

Mrs. Becker's comments have only added to the fervor of the ongoing revolutionary state, with many workers' councils now demanding further action. A prime example of this is the Kiel Workers' Council, which has, since yesterday, held the members of the General Council in custody and is now threatening to 'pursue justice' against them - an ominous statement which has been interpreted by some as a euphemism for the death penalty.

[A Former User]

Union proclaimed; Lille, Mulhouse, Strasbourg Workers' Councils collectivize private property; election saga continues; proceedings for the trial of the General Court begin in Kiel 'People's Court'

The Corporate Chamber has accepted the French resolution on nullification, meaning that the Confederation has been dissolved, a new Union in its place. No real constitution has been drafted yet; however, the Chamber has declared that it will be serving as a provisional government.

In other news, the largest workers' councils in the French Council Republic - the Lille, Mulhouse, and Strasbourg Councils - have declared that they are officially collectivizing private property, with workplaces now under their direct management and housing under new 'assemblies' to be formed by tenants. There is little left to do; in these municipalities, up to 70 percent of workplaces are already under workers' control. However, the statements have caused escalations in violence, with reports of the mass arrests of landlords and business-owners flooding in.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the General Council misrepresented yesterday's vote to the European Commission by the Electoral Commission. Further action is still unclear, but an investigation has been launched into voter fraud.

Finally, the Kiel Workers' Council has announced that it is trying the members of the General Council for treason in an ad-hoc "People's Court." Councillors were seen today being marched, at gunpoint, into Kieler Schloss, with a group of plainclothed people - perhaps a panel of judges or a jury - following.

Further information forthcoming.

[A Former User]

Congress of Workers' Councils meets in Strasbourg; 'People's Courts' formed in several major cities

The recently declared Congress of Workers' Councils is now in session, meeting at the Palace of the Republic in Strasbourg. On its agenda are the following:

• collectivization
• delegates to the provisional legislature
• the new economic paradigm
• the rule of law

Given that the workers' councils now control the vast majority - about 85% at the time of writing - of the country, whatever is decided will immediately go into effect. The communist nature of the councils all but assures that there will be radical reform - perhaps a more sweeping collectivization or even an entirely new system of governance that will supplant the current Union.

However, some have suggested something more radical, perhaps even sinister:

"Collectivization is the least of it," says Mathilde Comtois, former European Councillor and now-representative for the Mulhouse Workers' Council. "This Congress, the people's Congress, will forever change the state of the world. What has already come to pass; you will not call it a revolution after this."

Given that the councils will soon play a role in the reconstruction of the state, it is certainly possible that these possible radical programs will become an integral part of our country.

In other news, several major workers' councils throughout the country, including those in Lille, Brussels, Bremen, Aalborg and the Hague, have declared the formation of "People's Courts," which shall serve as the judicial branch in these times. Some - including one in Kiel, the capital - are already in session, trying those that have been arrested in these times, many of whom are business owners, landlords, and, most disturbingly of all, 'counterrevolutionaries.' Whether they are to be tried fairly is unknown at this time; however, given the agenda of the Congress, it is not an impossibility.

[A Former User]

Guild socialism for Eastern Haane: the hand of Humanism

In anticipation for the adjournment of the Congress of Workers' Councils, many have attempted to speculate as to what exactly they will have ruled, for, quite certainly, such things as the next economic paradigm will be of the utmost importance in the future.

Despite there officially being no information from the Congress, rumors of a new "guild-socialist" system have been floating around the Strasbourg area.

What exactly would this entail?

Workers would be organized into guilds - perhaps the same guilds that exist as of the time of writing. These guilds would have the responsibility of setting industry standards and regulating a market-socialist economy.

Said regulation would be informed both by workers' and consumers' voices.

In addition to that, as much power would be devolved as possible. The central government would have the sole responsibility of intermediating disputes between the guilds and other structures, with the majority of power being held, perhaps, in the workers' councils.

It is, all in all, much more individualistic than other socialist systems and a far cry from the menacing radicality insinuated by Rep. Mathilde Comtois.

However, if true, it would be an irregularity - the councils have not, to this point, shown any such interest in such a system. If anything, most would have expected them to adopt such an ideology as council communism.

An explanation lies in Cllr. Becker and her Humanist Party.

As citizens of Eastern Haane know, the Humanist Party has, in its short existence, campaigned for a sort of humane, individualistic socialism - close to that which has possibly been proposed by the Congress.

Perhaps Cllr. Becker's humanism has influenced the councils so much that it has become an integral part of their ideology - a sort of ideal to be striven toward.

However, this is simply conjecture - based upon simple hearsay, for that matter.

Only time will tell what is to come.

[A Former User]

Congress of Workers' Councils approves "guild socialism"

In its first-ever vote, the Congress of Workers' Council has approved a new economic paradigm as well as a temporary legal code. Working with the current provisional government, a system of 'guild socialism' shall be established. Guilds shall organize production in a democratic way, owning all workplaces in the country, but will simply play a regulatory role, a market economy being retained, to an extent. The guilds, unlike in more orthodox 'guild socialism' shall not cooperate with consumers. An entrepreneurial spirit will almost certainly be retained - guilds, according to details released by the Congress, will have funds that they may give to cooperatives.

However, there is certainly a radical aspect of this plan. The market-economy will have to serve 'the needs of the people,' with the People's Courts existing, partially, to ensure such a thing, even going as far as trying those who neglect to do such a thing. In addition, it does not appear to be in any way related to a more capitalist mode of production - entrepreneurs will have to provide detailed plans for their planned activity every month, as to ensure that they continue receiving funding. Even more strange is the fact that cooperatives will be taxed at 100 percent - the funds they get will be the funds the guilds provide.

[A Former User]

People's Courts to be open, fair; 73 members of General Council released

The Congress of Workers' Councils has approved a temporary legal code, mandating that all sessions of "People's Courts" are to be videotaped and published, and that all those tried are to be treated equally. It has established, most importantly, a presumption of innocence as well as a prerequisite of 'non-circumstantial' evidence, and has mandated the presence of a multi-member jury, selected at random from the public, as well as a panel of judges.

This is a major step toward the establishment of a new democracy in Eastern Haane, and has been celebrated by many public officials.

"This is an amazing development," said European Councillor Helga Becker. "We have shown the world that we have a democratic spirit, that we are truly capable of something grand. We are on the way to establishing a true democracy, one which values humanity, one which takes care of all of its members equally."

In other news, the Kiel Workers' Council has released 73 members of the former General Council. In an official statement made today, it stated that "little evidence had been found...we are deeply sorry for this perversion of justice, and have taken action to ensure that such a thing does not happen again."

The location of the remaining 27, including former Supreme Councillor Andries van Hoebeek is still unknown; however, the workers' council has stated that "they are in good health and comfort...we hope that justice may be done fairly and swiftly, and that the innocent may be able to return to their regular lives and duties as soon as possible."

Transcripts of the ongoing trial of the various members of the Council are to be released tomorrow, with further sessions to be entirely open to the public.

[A Former User]

Over 3/4 of all delegates to Congress of Workers' Councils recalled 'guild socialism' to be replaced by council-communist program

Eastern Haane has been set ablaze, yet again, by the decision of the Congress of Workers' Councils to adopt 'guild socialism.' Wildcat strikes have again started up, demanding resignations, other workers deciding simply to use the existing system of workers' councils and assemblies to recall delegates.

Whatever the modus operandi, the new movement has generally been successful - 3/4 of all delegates to the Congress of Workers' Councils have been recalled.

As this process continues, however, many workers' councils have embarked on a new, 'council-communist' program. Direct-democratic councils in workplaces have been integrated into the system of city councils, with production coordinated by the entire system as a whole. Many workers' councils have again re-affirmed their communism, with some going as far as to begin the abolition of money, with food, rather than being sold, being rationed, or even given for free.

"The firm," announced the Nancy Workers' Council, "has been abolished. Workers are now united, united as one. There is no more division; all work for society, for humanity, and none else. The workers decide their own will; none else. No longer are the people subjected to the invisible tyrannies of capitalism. They have freed themselves."

Certainly, this point of view is common. It is very likely, as such, that this will at some point become the official program of the Congress.

[A Former User]

Strikes die down as demands are met

Strikers are returning to their workplaces, their demands met as delegates to the Congress of Workers' Councils are recalled. Most workers' councils say that a new Congress will be formed quickly, as to cooperate with the provisional Union government, which has released details to do with a planned "People's Confederation," and to further integrate the councils.

"Overall, I feel that we'll be able to accomplish great things," said Martin Bourgaize, candidate for the European Councillorship. "We've established a participatory form of governance - one that, we can see, is functional and capable of weathering even the worst of corruption."

[A Former User]

[Satire] High Inquisitor, Blessed May She Always Remain, Harriet Copala, Visits New Copala City in Eastern Haane

Our blessed and most glorious High Inquistor for the Inquisition on Heretical Activities has lowered herself, degraded herself, by visiting our miserable shores, simply to meet we lowly wretches, out of the great kindness and love that flows out of her blessed soul.

She visited the New Copala City, a great and glorious holy development itself sprouting, manifesting itself out of her great, inexpressible kindness on love, her glorious feet themselves, through the medium of her rich, holy, most blessed and glorious shoes touching its ground, her body itself immersed in its lowly air.

As we lowly, unholy wretches barely able to be considered humans may attempt to recreate but fail entirely at doing so what has happened in that which may or may not be the past - our memories, if they can be called at such, are far too impure and unholy - High Inquisitor Copala, blessed and glorious may she be forever, banished to hell 2,6 million demons that the previous unholy menace that we once deigned to call 'government' called 'humans.'

We forever praise her for this act, for delivering us from the terrible heresies of communism and direct democracy. She is the savior, manifested in New Copala City.

[A Former User]

Becker, Hoebeek incriminated in corruption scandal; Comtois resigns as head of the VKP/PCU/FKP/UCP, replaced by Eva van der Bijl

Today marked a massive step forward in the trial of Andries van Hoebeek, the former Supreme Councillor of Eastern Haane, as new evidence was discovered clearly incriminating him in a massive web of blackmail and corruption, revealing sinister plans for the elimination of political opponents.

A trove of nearly 44.000 emails was discovered on Hoebeek's private server in the basement of Kiel Schloss, in which Hoebeek repeatedly threatened or bribed officials in an attempt to further his political agenda - that is, a "solidaristic capitalism," based on the works of the imperial politicians of the late 19th and early 20th century.

Perhaps more disturbingly, Hoebeek, according to the People's Court of Kiel, apparently was planning a politicide of leftists. A direct quote from him is below:

"They must be eradicated. We will be left behind, in their miasma of radicalism, if we do not get rid of them. Gas them, shoot them, hang them...it does not matter. Get rid of them, every single on [sic] of them."

Ms. Helga Becker was also complicit in this plot: a partner, not a victim of Hoebeek, she was to play a role in prepare for the coming killings, slowly deradicalizing 'innocent' Eastern Haaneans from the 'siren's call' of leftism:

"This is a little too extreme, I think," she wrote in an email to Hoebeek. "Certainly, not all of them need to be killed. Many of them can be turned with simple...prodding. It will not take much. I can convince them. Then, once I have gained their trust, you can remove the ringleaders, the demons who wished to ensnare the rest in their traps."

Ms. Becker was also found to have been working for Hoebeek as a collector of information, spying on several members of the government and relaying back incriminating information to him.

No sentence has been pronounced of yet; the People's Court is still deliberating on the punishment, stating that 'law in Eastern Haane is not punitive; it is restorative, meant to return things to the way they were; rectify things. With a crime of such graveness, it is difficult to determine such a solution as the law requires.'

In other news, Mathilde Comtois has resigned the position of the head of the United Communist Party - a left communist party that is the largest party on the left, despite not taking part in electoral politics, and was at the center of the unrest between 1980 and 1996. In a statement released today, she stated, "In my current position, I do not believe I can honestly serve the roles of the Party. Although I will remain a member of its ranks, I cannot in good conscience remain to be its head, especially when many feel that I have, in a way, betrayed it."

She has been temporarily replaced by Eva van der Bijl, who first rose to prominence as one of the few who resisted the transition of the former constituent republics to parliamentarianism between 2003 and 2005.

[A Former User]

Hoebeek, Becker convicted; further investigation into plot underway

The trials of Andries van Hoebeek and Helga Becker ended today. Both were found guilty by the People's Court; they were sentenced to fifteen years of paid but fixed labor on the behalf of the state. Hoebeek has appealed to the Congress of People's Courts; however, Becker, in the now-likely hopes that her sentence would be reduced, made a full statement on the nature of Hoebeek's system of blackmail and bribery:

"We would recruit people, promising them payment for information and their own recruits. We really did pay them, of course; I don't know where the money came from; but we paid them. How else would we keep them in the system? If that didn't work we would blackmail theme until they gave in. Of course, it wasn't so complex with the officials. All we had to do was go to them. Then there was the cleansing. That was a quite few years into the future. We weren't prepared for it; however, we were well on the way; we had amassed quite a bit of information."

Becker had little idea of whom her informants were; however, those who were coerced into participation are being invited to come forward as to give testimony regarding those at higher levels who participated willingly and in full awareness of the portent of their actions.

All other members of the General Council have been released, the People's Court stating that no conclusive evidence has been found tying them to the plot.

The Congress of People's Courts is to hear Hoebeek's appeal on 3 July.

[A Former User]

Hoebeek's testimony 'puts the mere existence of the described blackmail and corruption' in doubt, says Presidium of the Congress of People's Courts

Today, in an attempt to appeal the ruling of the Kiel People's Court, former Supreme Councillor Andries van Hoebeek gave testimony to the recently appointed Presidium of the Congress of People's Courts, claiming that the evidence against him had been faked.

"The people's militia in Kiel did not act as according to the law. They were extremely violent, threatening me with death on a number of occasions, caning me if I made even the slightest number of infractions. I believe such a thing happened to Ms. Becker; that she was coerced into given false testimony," Hoebeek stated in the first hour of hearings.

He was later examined, marks on his body found to match his disturbing testimony.

Hoebeek also stated that he "did not have any knowledge of private email servers being run" in his name, that "any emails that I wrote during my term either belong to a personal account hosted on servers currently managed by the Syndicate of Information Technology or the official government servers stored in the Kiel 'Opera House' [a secondary legislative building that is, when not occupied by the government, used for public performances]," and that "the emails purportedly written by me do not match the style in which I generally write."

The Presidium itself has stated that Hoebeek's testimony is "deeply disturbing," urging the government to begin reforms that would allow for "greater oversight" over the affairs of local courts, but that "at this time, we do not exactly the veracity of Hoebeek's statements - they are, until further word, are not to be taken as the full truth."

Many, however, doubt Hoebeek's claims. "He was a terrible Supreme Councillor," said a woman who wishes to remain unidentified. "He drove the economy into the ground, refused to even listen to what we, the people, had to say, and, perhaps worst of all, collaborated with those regimes which hate us for our political beliefs; those regimes that wish to eradicate us."

The Consul herself has taken a position - "While the claims certainly are disturbing, in that a nightmare or a particularly well-written horor novel is," she said in a statement this afternoon, "I cannot take Hoebeek at his word. During his term, I watched him take advantage of every single legal loophole possible in order to force his ideology on Eastern Haane. I went as far to sue him in 2018 - but the court found no wrongdoing, for there had been none, for no law had actually been violated, as the people may remember. The emails, in my mind, are not in any way strange or fantastical - they are a perfect example of what this deranged man would do if there was no limit on his power. He would go even as far to kill himself if it helped his political goals."

Mathilde Comtois, at the forefront of the revolution, however, has taken the strangest of sides. "Workers, comrades, remember that we must be fair, we must be impartial," she said in a statement today. "Hoebeek should be prosecuted, but it should not be for these trumped-up charges, which the Kiel People's Court and militia must be punished for making. He should be prosecuted for what he has truly done; what is visible to us all. He stole from you, gave your wealth away to the rich in foreign countries. For that, he should; nay, he must, pay."

Marine Marchand, one of the few remaining members of the National Front still politically active, sided with Hoebeek completely. "He was a man who served the nation, who sacrificed so much for us. He attempted to unify us, to make us stronger, to truly give us a voice. And this is how we repay him. We destroy everything that he has created, and try to drive him to insanity. We must fight, fight to make a new nation, fight to unify ourselves. We must create a new nation, a new economy, based upon a Haanean socialism, one not divisive but unifying!"

[A Former User]

Hoebeek, Becker cleared of all charges; joint-assembly called

The full Congress of People's Courts has approved its Presidium's movement to clear former Supreme Councillor Andries van Hoebeek of all charges. In a statement released today, the Congress stated that there "had been a grave miscarriage of justice in Kiel;" that "those who the people are supposed to trust have been consumed by their emotions, have engaged in the most terrible of plots simply to enact their revenge. "

Said statement went further on to clear the Kiel People's Court of all wrongdoing - "we have found no connection between the People's Court and the falsification of evidence;" however, it suggested that action be taken to further regulate the People's Militias - "their power is too great; their nature makes it inevitable that such a terrible thing be attempted again."

The Confederation Council appears to have agreed with this sentiment, calling a joint assembly of the two legislative chambers to address the issue. The people through the syndical and national councils will create mandates through which their representatives will and must act; said mandates must be submitted by Wednesday, the date on which the joint assembly will convene.

[A Former User]

Eva van der Bijl's statement on the UNSR election

Today, Eva van der Bijl, head of the United Communist Party, made a statement on the state of the UNSR:

"Revolution is international; the progress toward communism cannot continue if we remain pacified, isolated. We must turn our attention to the situation in other countries.

Perhaps foremost of them all is Icholasen. They have had a revolution; they are now installing socialism; but they are faltering. They are planning a return to capitalism; all of them, even the most diligent and ardent communists. See their election. Sanders, who wishes to 'collectivize' almost everything. Yet this collectivization is not a socialization - it is a nationalization, that would yet again take the labor of the workers, as is under capitalism, and place it in the hands of the state, for it to use for its own enrichment. One may say that the state is the working class; but so long as the state has autonomy from the working class, as is the case in Icholasen, it is not. Baskin is no better; she wishes to retain the market system, wishes to internationalize Icholasen; and thus wishes to re-enslave the workers; place them at the mercy of the market, force them to compete in the most unnatural of competition. The waste of capitalism and consumerism would return. The center - the ANL of Georgia Francis - is a terrifying amalgam of both. Under them, capitalism would return in its entirety.

We must stand in solidarity with our comrades in the UNSR always, never faltering, never falling."

Ms. van der Bijl has often been criticized for her extremism; many within the wider communist movement in Eastern Haane have claimed that she serves only to divide. Perhaps one of the most famous perspectives on her was given by Mathilde Comtois, in 2016:

"We have no need for such sectionalism. Communism; socialism; they are not set dogmas. They are, together, simply the abolition of capitalism in its entirety. Ms. van der Bijl does not seem to understand this; she has created a religion around it. This is no way to proceed; it will lead to disaster."

[A Former User]

Joint-assembly meets; debate heavily skewed against further regulation

The Assembly of Nations and the Syndical Assembly convened today as a joint-assembly to discuss the possibility of further regulation on the People's Militias, following the vindication of Hoebeek and Becker by the Congress of People's Courts.

Little progress, however, appears to have been made. From what debate has already occurred, it appears that the vast majority of mandates (instructions from syndical and national councils that representatives must follow) have bound their corresponding representatives to be vehemently opposed to even the smallest attempt to legislate a solution on the issue.

Given that any possible action would have to be undertaken as a constitutional amendment, which requires a unanimous vote, it is unlikely that anything of use will come from this meeting.

[A Former User]

Regulation rejected; 'Union of Guilds' founded

After three days of deliberation, regulation has been vehemently rejected in a vote 27 - 3 in the Syndical Assembly and 25 - 5 in the Assembly of Nations. The chambers have issued a joint statement, in which they claim that "regulation is a subversion of the constitution; it would permanently damage the confederal nature of the Haanean state," citing the first two clauses of the seventh article of the constitution, to do with the responsibilities and structure of the regions and workers' councils:

"I. The regions and workers' councils shall have a federal relationship with each other; that is, regional law shall have precedence over that of the workers' councils, but workers' councils will have the ability to legislate that which has already not been legislated on by the regional assemblies or presidiums.

II. The regions shall have all power to legislate on matters not delegated to the syndicates or nations; they shall also have the power to legislate on all matters that have not already been legislated upon by the syndicates or nations. The confederal government shall have no power to make laws of this type..."

While technically it is allowed for the assemblies to pass such legislation as constitutional amendments, as was proposed in this situation, they feel as though such a thing would be an exploitation of constitutional powers.

In other news, a 'Union of Guilds' - a new trade union for the Haanean center and right; has been founded. Members join or found a 'guild' for their profession. Each guild is to act as a mutual aid organization; in the future, they may act as extra-legal regulatory bodies. Their aim is to eventually create an economy based on workers' cooperatives, united in said guilds.

[A Former User]

Van der Bijl expelled from party after making four-hour-long nonsensical speech

After making a bizarre speech denouncing almost every existing politician in Europe, Eva van der Bijl has been expelled from the United Communist Party. Those who made the decision - the members of the People's Council of the Party - have made the following statement:

"Ms. van der Bijl has been making increasingly sectarian statements. Rather than unifying the movement, she has worked only to divide it, attempting to create conflict between factions barely different in any way. If we were to continue to give her any voice whatsoever, the already weak communist movement, not just in Eastern Haane but throughout the world, would fall apart."

van der Bijl has not made any reactions as of now; however, many other prominent politicians in Eastern Haane have:

From Thierry de la Rocque, head of the Union of Guilds and a prominent socialist:

"Ms. van der Bijl is disconnected from reality. She appears to live in some bizarre alternate universe in which everything is black and white. This is only the latest manifestation of this way of thinking; I doubt it will be the last. She, in my opinion, needs a great amount of help."

From Annelise Bauer, head of the Ecological Assembly:

"Ms. van der Bijl has created an imaginary world. She then has conflated said world with reality, resulting in this monstrosity and many previous. I ask of her to for once see what exists and interpret conditions from that. I doubt that she will do such a thing; she will probably label me yet again as a - what was it again? - a 'brazen opportunist who wishes to destroy what has been accomplished.'"

From Katrin Weber, Premier and unofficial head of the Civic Union:

"Ms. van der Bijl has the right to express her opinion. However, she does not appear to be mentally stable; the speech that she has given was, in no short words, the output of monkeys. It was incomprehensible; parts of it were simply, literally, gibberish. How else can a speech that refers to various people as "it" and calls even the most devoted of communists 'bourgeois scum' be described?"

From Mathilde Comtois, State Elder and unofficial head of the Communist Workers' Front:

"As I have said before, this is the work of a bizarre religion that has become a cult - a religion obsessed with dogmas but not reality; one that sees only an imaginary world. I ask all to be careful; to avoid falling into such things."

Chosen examples from van der Bijl's speech are below:

"Sanders. He claims to be a communist - of course he does - but he is not. He sings the song of the siren, luring many to their deaths. What he wishes to do has nothing to do with workers and everything to do with power. He wishes himself to be a capitalist; that is the base of the thing. He wishes to, as so many others have, steal from the workers, force them to work as little more than slaves. That is his true nature. He is bourgeois scum that ought to have been eliminated from the beginning."

"Mathilde Comtois. Of course, she is a saint! She is not. She would be the destruction of everything, for she is the pied piper leading us to capitalism. We follow her gladly, gladly, away from all that is good. At the end we are locked in the mountain of neo-liberalism, for hundreds and hundreds of years. She is not insincere, of course; she is simply an idiot who has let herself be puppeteered by the capitalists."

"To fascism we go, to fascism we go! That is the anthem of Annelise Bauer. She does not want democracy; she wants all power to be in her hands. She thinks herself something high; thinks that she deserves all. She deserves nothing but the most painful death, for she has tricked so many into accepting her horrid ideas. She is the most brazen of opportunists, wishing for the destruction of all that has already been accomplished."

"Edward Firoux. It is nothing but a puppet, perhaps like Pinocchio. Wishing to be human, but lacking certain characteristics. Of course, it is much worse, for Firoux; it has no morality; for that matter, no resemblance to humans. It is a bag of rotting flesh, constructed from the body-parts of the poor who have been sacrificed to capital; a bag of rotting flesh that is dangled; that the downtrodden eat despite its smell; a bag carrying a number of diseases, all deadly; a bag that kills all that come into contact with it."