The News-Review

Town Hall Meeting Held

Sable Babii — Sun, 18 May 2008 23:34:06 +0000

A town hall meeting was held today in the Quorum Theater room. It covered a lot of topics, and there were some tense moments as a few individuals expressed their frustrations.

President Halberd moderated the discussion. New announcements of an additional new sim for BSG47 and a new website were met with enthusiasm.

A complete transcript is posted on the Forum at .

Sable Babii – Fleet News Reporter

Press Release: Cabinet Members

the Office of the Press Secretary — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:00:24 +0000

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 14, 2008

President Tanya Halberd today announced the resignation and replacement of two cabinet members serving in her Administration.

Attorney General Derin Swenson has taken an extended sabbatical for personal reasons and the President has named Datan Lanzet to the post. Mr. Lanzet recently served as the Assistant Attorney General. Prior to this, he served as Fleet Special Prosecutor.

Press Secretary Kiltcheck Douglas is touring the fleet to research a book he is writing. The President has named Taylor Peralta to the post. Mr. Peralta previously served as Assistant Press Secretary. Prior to the attacks on the Colonies he was an anchor and commentator for Caprica 5.

Arcturus Negron Trial Begins, Will be Continued

Fleet News Service — Mon, 05 May 2008 04:07:59 +0000

Sunday, May 4, the trial of alleged assassin Arcturus Negron commenced. Negron stands accused of a number of charges related to the shooting of Vice President Vicky Vielle, who survived the attack.

The trial was presided over by a tribunal made up of Quorum Representatives Dollwife Pink, Ronon Maximus, and Saamia Mahana. The prosecution was represented by Datan Lanzet and the defendant was represented by attorney Haki Tiqiri.

Proceedings today included testimony from prosecution witnesses Lieutenant Echos Lockjaw, Rear Admiral Darsh Lucero, and Gunnery Sergeant Demitri Congrejo.

The trial was not completed and will be resumed at a later date, yet to be determined. The prosecution has not completed the presentation of its witnesses or its case, and the defense has not presented its case yet.

Sable Babii – Fleet News Reporter

Ko-Ball Tournament Won by David / Skippy Team!!

Fleet News Service — Mon, 05 May 2008 03:35:53 +0000

Two Ko-Ball pods were built into the dome for the tournament Saturday, which was a lot of fun for everyone. Ko-ball is a lot like the football games we played in the colonies, except that there are only 1 to 3 players on a team.

In a dramatic, hard-fought competition lasting 7 rounds, winners David/Skippy were able to out-play second place finishers Dree/Jess.

Due to popular request, one Ko-Ball pod will be left in place int the dome for people to play pick-up games and practice!

Sable Babii – Fleet News Reporter

Secretary of Commerce – Owen Papp Resigns

Fleet News Service — Mon, 05 May 2008 03:18:30 +0000

Citing personal reasons, Owen Papp submitted his resignation today from his position as Secretary of Commerce on President Halberd’s Cabinet.

Mr. Papp was the first to hold this position in the fleet, and he accomplished a number of obectives related to fleet banking and commerce.

President Halberd said he will be missed and a replacement search will be initiated, but there is no need to rush into a replacement at the moment.

Sable Babii – Fleet News Reporter

Sports Tournament Scheduled for May 3

Fleet News Service — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:01:11 +0000

A sports tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 3 in the dome on 7th Heaven, at 2pm SLT. The game is called “Ko-Ball” in honor of the Lords of Kobol. The game is like football games that were played on many of the colonies, except only 1 to 3 players can play on a team at a time. The tournament is being arranged by Antonia Waco. Please contact her by IM for details.

Sable Babii – Fleet News Reporter

Accused Bekkers Killed in Raider Crash

Fleet News Service — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:26:55 +0000

Late in the evening of April 21, 2008, Mason Bekkers, infamous alleged kidnapper was killed. During a cylon attack on the fleet, a raider crashed into the River Delta causing a hull breach that killed the prisoner, who was in the interrogation room. RD’s emergency bulkheads deployed and protected most on board.

When the attack occurred, Bekkers was secured in the interrogation room while the crew made the usual attack preparations. The raider breached the hull in that room. Bekkers’ body was apparently drawn out through the impact zone when the raider hit. The raider itself was mostly demolished on impact, however, some pieces were found protruding the hull and strewn around the impact zone.

Damage teams from Pacifica, led by Petty Officer Nathaniel Flores, with additional support from the Aerelon Sun were dispatched and able to effect repairs quickly.

Bekkers’ trial, which was scheduled for Saturday, April 26, will not be held.

Sable Babii – Fleet News Reporter

Arrest Warrant Issued for Arcturus Negron

Fleet News Service — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:12:19 +0000

An arrest warrant was issued for Arcturus Negron, who was wanted in connection with the attempted assassination and attempted murder of Vice President Vicky Vielle.

He was arrested Thursday night by OPSEC and locked up on Pacifica until extradition was requested by Fleet Security, and is awaiting trial on River Delta.

Sable Babii – Fleet News Reporter

Trial Date Set for Mason Bekkers

Fleet News Service — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:03:50 +0000

For Immediate Release
Office of the Attorney General
April 20, 2008

Saturday, April 26 there will be a trial held to ascertain the guilt or innocence of Mason Bekkers. Mr. Bekkers is charged as follows:

COUNT 1 – Kidnapping of the Innis Child
COUNT 2 – Kidnapping of Yveka Law
COUNT 3 – Illegal discharge of a firearm
COUNT 4 – Illegal Possession of a firearm
COUNT 5 – Felony Child Endangerment
COUNT 6 – Battery and Felony Endangerment

The location of the trial will be in the new courtroom on Celestra.

Datan Lanzet – Assistant Attorney General

Reflections and Militia

Fleet News Service — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:37:50 +0000

From Datan Lanzet, Citizen (in my own opinon):

A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is the best most natural defense of a free country.
– James Madison, Tauron Patriot

As I sit here quarantined aboard the 7th Heaven, I was talking with Dr. Leandrah Whiteberry, fellow Tauron, and we were discussing the pride and the independence of the Tauron militia. I was regailed with stories of my stubborn and willfull ancestors resisting in the first Cylon war ((Reference: Razor!)) and we were talking about why we have put all of our eggs in the basket of the Pacifica. I am writing to encourage the Quorum to take up the cause of the militias, bring them back and let each colony organize their own. Along with that perhaps we should have everyone do some sort of military training and have skills training.

I remember reading the plight of the civilians who escaped Cylon captivity and how they had to be “trained” to handle weapons. Why wait until we get boarded again? EVERY ship in the fleet is at risk of a boarding party, not just the Pacifica. It makes no sense to me why we have an evolving “military elite” when we are all in danger of dying not just pilots and marines.

The fleet should be defended by EVERY man and woman, not just those who fly in expensive aerospace fighters. There are many man and women who could take flight training, more than currently “in service.” Even some rudimentary training for those qualified is better than none at all.

The rest of the able bodied and willing people of the fleet could be organized into militias who receive weapons ((Reference the Israelis, who let the soldiers keep their weapons in the closet, at the ready)). Certainly we could get weapons together, they always seem to have enough for the pilots and marines, we can dedicate some to fabrication of some type of weapon.

The Articles of Colonization allow each Colony to maintain their militia. Bring it back. What if what happened on the 7th happened on Pacifica, and the pilots wiped out quickly. Even someone with basic “nugget” training would be better than someone with no training at all. To hoard that knowledge makes NO sense.

If we are concerned about the survival of the human species, then the evolution of a military “elite” class is not in our best interest. The Cylons will think twice about boarding and getting hostages if the boarding party runs into armed and trained citizens.

It would also stop the evolution of a mililtary elite that is not tied to the populace. I think while the overall organization should be under the Commander-In-Chief, these militias are under the direct control of their Colony governments. Most of us would NEVER be called on. Tyrants fear an armed populace, democracies do not.

But what if we were needed? Cross training and certification in military MOS’s for everyone makes sense. A ready reserve preserves humanity better than a few, the militias dilute the military control to preserve democracy.

I also think the majority of us would feel better if we all felt we contributed rather than always being told how much we need protection and owe our lives to this person or that military individual. Democracy is only protected by a knowledgeable and ready citizenry. We are not sheep that need you to sing to sleep.

I’m a Tauron, and on my world we protect ourselves. We are not sheep that need tending. Our sheep carry guns and are ready to fight the wolf. The Gods protect the righteous who help themselves.

BRING BACK THE MILITIAS! FORM THE READY RESERVE!!!

Madame President, the Quorum, Military Officers, this policy only makes sense. We are all at risk, there is no “civilian” to the Cylons only humans to kill under a mushroom cloud. This is not a new policy, this is bringing back a successful policy, and old policy. I ask all of you who feel you should be able to defend yourself when faced with a Centurion (as many of us have! – I did on Pacifica!) to join me. I hope our brothers and sisters are still fighting from caves on Taura, in my heart I know they are. DEATH to the Cylons.

So say we all,

Datan Lanzet
Citizen, Loyal Tauron

Many thanks to the Doctor for her thoughts!

P.S. – NOTE: Today as I wandered around the quarantine zone, I was informed by the doctor that several “infected pilots” had to be sent back to Pacifica because of a pilot shortage! To risk the entire fleet’s infection because of “pilot shortage” is unacceptable, and should serve as a warning of things to come.

This time it is a rash, what about next time. No quarantine area where there is potential interaction (like on Pacifica) is safe. This is a wake up call. We should all be involved in defense, and the pilot pool should be expanded for “reserves” so that we don’t have to take such risks.

There simply isn’t a good reason to risk us all.

((There are alot of OOC advantages as well… man wouldnt we all like to go up in a viper like once or twice??? Maybe more of us would pay money to fly if we knew what it was like!!!!))

DISCLAIMER: The following opinions are for educational purposes only, they do not reflect any legal conclusion or a policy statement of the Colonial Government. They are offered for the purposes of debate and reflection and do not constitute any creation of attorney client privilege. They are my opinions only.