Ahem... Testing...1...2...3.
I am Lyat Corsair, President of the Confederation of Worlds, and I am here to address you over the matter of the Rebellion's blatant recruitment posters. I would like to remind you of several major factors that our dear "Kaptain Karl" of the Rebellion has apparently neglected to mention. But of course, that would be no surprise, would it? The Rebellion live off "neglecting to mention" certain facts about the current political situation.
The Rebellion claim truth, liberty and justice -- the very rights which our constitution upholds. Where is the Rebellion constitution? Nay, they have none, they instead run on "truth", "liberty" and "justice". Surely, their cause must be right! But of course, they must be fighting for truth, liberty and justice! My friends, it's time you opened your eyes to the wider world.
Years ago, the Confederation was forged on the brink of the destruction of mankind. Minor governments were being obliterated by the unprecedented power of the alien invaders in the Great War. The entire future of mankind rested upon the balance of those few months. Would we all lose? Let me tell you this, my dear friends, the very worlds that now form the Rebellion were against the formation of the Confederation -- these people wanted the aliens to destroy them. Draw your own conclusions; I am not a Rebel, I will not patronise you by having to explain every little thing to you in detail.
The Confederation of Worlds saved mankind. We called for the end of oppression, we called for the end of prejudice, we called for the beginning of a new age of man. We defeated the aliens - a force who originally were viewed as unstoppable. Independant militias fell without destroying a single ship - hope was gone. But justice was ultimately served - justice, which will always stand victorious. Against all odds, we destroyed the aliens, and freed mankind from destruction.
And then what happened, my friends? All these minor governments, the same governments that bathed in their own greed and "rights", declared their independance - they called it freedom. Oh, beautiful freedom - word with no meaning, scapegoat of all life. Do you want freedom? Do you want to be free? To be free from what, I ask you? What do you call "freedom"? Nay, you cannot claim this freedom and justice too, for freedom is the lack of justice, freedom is anarchy. I say not to you; "Be free", but I say; "Be just", for they are not one and the same, as the lying Rebellion have said to you. Be free as the pirates, and live in squalor, or be just and true. I do not make your decision - your decision is your own. Do I make catches in words to try and make you believe us? Do I use meanings of words which are not true, to make you care? Do I tell you what you think, what you do? No - I do not. Do as you will, for your life is your own, and in that belief, you will find more freedom than you would find in the Rebellion.
Do you want to make a difference, my friends? Do you want to support the wheels of commerce? Do you want to thwart the oppression of the Confederation? What oppression do you see? History repeats itself. The Confederation do not lie to you, the Rebellion do. All powers will eventually become "twisted", as some who bathe in self-pity might like to put it. Would you say "evil"? Listen to me. The Confederation have failings - all governments have failings. But all successful rebellions, forged through battle against a formalised government, become that too, and more so - those failings are amplified at thousand times. Now, the Rebellion may seem "just", but that is not so. Their cause is one that has been repeated many times in history, and where successful the "rebels" become a more "evil" government than the former.
The Confederation are no Utopia, but at least we let you be yourself.
Now... on a slightly more personal level, I find these posters offensive to everything my predessors and I have worked for - worked for, not fought for, because through fighting only oppression grows. Since I came into office two years ago, I have done everything in my capability to rid the Confederation of its false stereotype. This stereotype was never true, but I have worked to collapse it. And yet, every day, some self-proclaimed "Rebel activist" spreads word of the Confederation's "evil", and the work of months is ruined, and one again I must try to explain to mankind the dream of the Confederation -- justice, and true freedom.
To "Kaptain Karl", so codenamed for melodrama; you are an offense to the cause of the Confederation, and so by the laws you say the Confederation uphold should be tortured by whatever means suitable. This is not true. Surrender now, and you will be prosecuted and jailed for a maximum of fifteen years. Continue, and even then the sentence will only be one of life. There is no slaughter within the Confederation - you know well that we have tried countless times to bring this war to an end.
This is Lyat Corsair, President of the Confederation of Worlds. Thank-you for listening.
------------------
-Lyat Esponer Corsair
(This message has been edited by Rebel Lies (edited 05-15-2002).)
(This message has been edited by SilverDragon (edited 05-15-2002).)