Bills

WHEREAS the Covenants of Rights and Freedoms provide for absolute freedom of speech except in cases of "libellous abuse of that right" (2nd Covenant); and
WHEREAS Talossa has historically been loath to impose "libel laws" upon its citizens; and
WHEREAS certain Talossans have charged other Talossans with illegal conduct or violations of laws in the press but have been unwilling to have those charges examined by an impartial court of law to render a final verdict on their validity, thus contributing to a deterioration in political dialogue and increasing disrespect for the rule of law; and
WHEREAS the overriding principle of justice must be that people have a right to an innocent reputation until they are proven guilty in a court of law;
THEREFORE the Ziu hereby RESOLVES: That if one citizen charges another with illegal actions or violation of laws, this action shall constitute libel in Talossa unless and until the citizen making the charge obtains vindication of said charge from a court of law in Talossa; and in the absence of such vindication the person making the charge shall be legally responsible for his libel.

WHEREAS The Uppermost Cort of Talossa has in spite of a busy schedule managed to approve Gregory William Aldous;
THEREFORE the Ziu hereby approve him as well, by voting "për" on this bill.

WHEREAS Talossa needs more debate;
THEREFORE all Members of the Cosâ shall be able to put questions for the Cabinet members in the Clark. The Minister who is questioned shall submit his answer to the Secretary of State in time for it to be published in the next Clark, together with the Clark results. Each answer shall be between 15 and 150 words. Should the Prime Minister reshuffle his Cabinet, it is incumbent upon the new Minister to answer the question.

In the interests of diversity the Ziu hereby authorizes the following amendment to Article XVII, Sec. 8., which will have the effect of requiring new citizens to make at least one of their required book purchases a non-Ben Madison-authored book (which is not currently the case). As this change can only be accomplished by a national referendum, the Ziu also authorizes a national referendum on the amendment, to coincide with the July Clark.
(Words in ALL CAPS constitute the new language, the rest are unchanged from the current law:)

Sec. 8 Once the Citizen has been approved, he must (within two months of his approval) legally acquire of the following materials: a) The Lexicon of Talossan English; and b) any other two Talossa-related books from the Index of Permitted Books, one or both of which must be WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED by someone other than Ben Madison. The Index of Permitted Books shall be devised and updated by the Committee on Immigration.

WHEREAS the Ziu has removed the inactive Justice Tom Buffone from the Uppermost Cort; and
WHEREAS We have the organic responsibility of naming a successor; and
WHEREAS We, Robert I, by the Grace of God King of Talossa, etc. etc. etc., do hereby nominate Kenneth R. Oplinger to serve as a Justice of the Uppermost Cort of Talossa. We do so with great confidence in his patriotism, his legal ability, and his devotion to Talossa as a community of real people. We have expressed our justification in full in the May 26th issue of Støtanneu, and we encourage all Senators and Members of the Cosâ to reflect on Our opinions;
THEREFORE the Ziu approves Mr Oplinger's appointment, so that the work of the Cort may continue unimpeded.

WHEREAS Talossa is a peaceful country; and
WHEREAS all nuclear arms tests are a bad idea;
THEREFORE the Ziu condemns India for their recent nuclear arms tests.

WHEREAS there has been pressure to create a mechanism to recognize achievement in Talossan studies; and
WHEREAS the best mechanism for recognizing such achievement is a university;
THEREFORE the Ziu charters the University of Talossa, to be headed by a Board of Regents. One member of the Board shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the King of Talossa; one shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Seneschál; and one shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Opposition Leader.

WHEREAS what are called lakes Huron and Michigan are hydrologically a single lake of two lobes; and
WHEREAS however, the two lobes are sufficiently separated to qualify as separate seas; and
WHEREAS what the rest of the world calls Lake Michigan is properly termed the Talossan Sea;
THEREFORE the Ziu designates the lobe called Lake Michigan the Talossan Sea, the lobe called Lake Huron the Huron Sea, and the combined body of water Lake Michigan

BILL HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN BY PROPONENT

WHEREAS it is proper for Talossa to establish an order to recognize contributions to the political life of Talossa;
THEREFORE the Ziu establishes the Order of the Squirrel, with members to be nominated by the King and confirmed by the Senäts.

BILL HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN BY PROPONENT

WHEREAS it is proper for Talossa to establish an order to recognize contributions to the cultural life of Talossa;
THEREFORE the Ziu establishes the Order of the Dandelion, with members to be nominated by the King and confirmed by the Senäts.

BILL HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN BY PROPONENT

WHEREAS it is proper for Talossa to establish an order to recognize major contributions to the very survival of Talossa;
THEREFORE the Ziu establishes the Order of the Crown, with members to be nominated by the King and confirmed by the Senäts.

WHEREAS the National Entertainer seems to be an issue that just won't die, no matter how much we may wish it to; and
WHEREAS a compromise is in order;
THEREFORE the Ziu:
Establishes the title of Notable Entertainer, which grants the bearer the right to be called "Notable".
Establishes the title shall be granted through nomination by any member of the Ziu and confirmation by a majority vote of a joint session of the Ziu.

WHEREAS India has been engaging in nuclear tests; and
WHEREAS such tests are destabilizing to world peace; and
WHEREAS such actions must have consequences;
THEREFORE the Ziu imposes sanctions on India identical to those the United States has imposed on India, to endure until the United States lifts said sanctions.

WHEREAS Talossa has a claim to territory in Antarctica; and
WHEREAS there are Russian science stations in that territory; and
WHEREAS the Antarctic Treaty is in the best interests of the Talossan claim to Pengöpäts;
THEREFORE Talossa accedes to the Antarctic Treaty.

WHEREAS the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War is adhered to by all civilized nations; and
WHEREAS Talossa is a civilized nation;
THEREFORE Talossa accedes to the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

WHEREAS the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is the best available framework for dealing with questions of sovereignty on the high seas and the commercial exploitation of the sea and sea bed;
THEREFORE Talossa accedes to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.