Bastion,

     I've only recently returned once more from a short slumber, and yet I returned to what seems (to say the least) to be an interesting time.  Fellow Ashtani are taking a stand for what they believe is right, which I find admirable regardless of how I feel on the topic.  Political elections are high in their prime.  Due to my absence I tried to abstain in voting, and I will admit I finally caved to vote in both of these previous elections.

     As is usual after any contest of any sort, there are going to be losers.  Anyone will know that to have a winner, means there are going to be losers.  Regardless of who you are, where you're from, or even how old you are... Losing sucks. Just point blank -SUCKS-.  When something sucks, one will get frustrated or even angered.  We all know and understand how it feels.  However, it seemed that a few of our past contestants took their loss too hard.  I will not say it was a shameful reaction, but I will not say it was not.   When one loses, especially something where political games defeat any personal skill, the best path is to raise your head up and view your loss as a learning experience. Congratulate the winner, even if you're actually secretly plotting behind his back.  That is politics, and it does one well to learn how the system actually works.

     Soon after, a several others (who did not contest) felt need to speak up against someone else.  I applaud your stance and that you took that step.  Do I think it went a little too far? Yes, I believe a few parties went a hair too far.  We're all Ashtan's citizens and guardians. At the end of the day, it does not matter who ended up winning an election, so long as we as citizens do our jobs and observe their motives.  We're no better than Mhaldor or Targossas when we do those petty things.  Whoever you are, and however you feel, disfavours are not something to be passed down simply because you can, feel slighted, and wish a moment of revenge.

     Lastly, and as I just semi-mentioned just previously, we are not Mhaldor.  We are Ashtan, Bastion of the North, City of Freedom blessed by Lord Babel at our birth.  Anyone has the right to speak their point of view against someone (barring Someone) or something.  Regardless of whom is Archon, Minister, or even Overseer.  We are Freedom. We each - you, I, especially our Patron of the time - have the right to speak our minds.  If the people's opinions on matters are shushed, then what right do we have to call ourselves, or even pride ourselves, as the City of Freedom?

In Steel Service,
     Zandre Azon-Moliuvia