Vol 877 Issue 6 6-1122

Regent Opens Salon with Speech

Ling-Raleigh Stuns Audience at Epicurean Society

Corina Ling-Raleigh, Regent of Regina, opened the new salon at the Epecurean Society with a speech that left the crowd gathered there spellbound.

Speaking in the style for which she she has become well known, the Regent repeated her call to action, urging Reginans to "construct a fair and just government".

In the same speech, she was harshly critical of the Imperium and "other foreign powers", which drew extended applause from most of the audience.

Finishing her speech amid roaring cheers of her supporters, she announced a rally and speech at Aguilon Park to be held 007-1122 at 6pm on the ducal palace grounds. She encouraged all citizens to attend.

Ling-Raleigh has become the center and prime mover in a new, and rapidly growing, isolationist "Independence" movement.

The Regent has repeatedly called Reginans to become "fanatics" in the cause of Regina's independence, which has been the cause of some concern amongst foreign delegations.

Indeed, many attendees at the Epicurean Salon expressed grave concern over the direction that the Regent is taking Regina.

"We're heading for a blood-bath" commented one attendee, who declined to be identified.

See the full text of the speech in Politics


Op-Ed

An Interview with Noted Philanthropist Dr. Adam Shelzie

Interviewer: Dr. Shelzie, Thank you for allowing us to interrupt your busy schedule.

Shelzie: Not at all. I welcome the opportunity to answer a few questions.

Interviewer: Dr. Shelzie... For those of our readers who may not be familiar with you, Can we give you a bit of an introduction?

Shelzie: Certainly.

Interviewer: You currently own and administer the Shelzie Medical Research Facility. You also administer the Shelzie Relief Foundation. You are a retired Commodore in the Imperial Navy. And you are also still an Imperial citizen?

Shelzie: That's correct

Interviewer: Dr. Shelzie, We understand that you returned to Regina just a few days ago. What is your impression of Regina and it's citizens today?

Shelzie: Mostly what I have noticed is a marked increase of fear among the general population. Requests for assistance from the relief foundation have been on a steady increase in past weeks. I also have observed a serious power struggle going on for the control of Regina which will only increase the destabilization of this world's government.

Interviewer: You are referring to the Shelzie Relief Foundation?

Shelzie: Yes

Interviewer: Dr. Shelzie, how does all this fit in with your decision... Actually your change of mind for making the donation towards the Foundation for Social Assistance.

Shelzie: I was wondering when you were going to get to that. Initially I had hoped to help another charitable organization with financial assistance. I was actually glad to hear that there was another organization willing to help those who needed it on Regina. I had looked over the organization briefly and what I saw at first looked good.

Interviewer: So what changed your mind?

Shelzie: The fact is, that after I arrived I had a brief discussion with the founder of the organization. After speaking with her there came to light something I found a little disconcerting. In addition, the head of this organization was not only involved directly in the power struggle on Regina, but also the head of a very major corporation as well.

Interviewer: You are referring to Corrina Ling- Raleigh?

Shelzie: Yes.

Interviewer: Are not you also the head of a corporation Doctor? As well as a charitable organization?

Shelzie: Yes I am, But I am not directly involved with the power struggle on Regina.

Interviewer: Just what is your level of involvement in the power struggle on Regina?

Shelzie: My level of involvement is limited to the operation of my business and the administration of the relief foundation as they relate to the Regina government .

Interviewer: So you yourself have no designs on the Ducal office?

Shelzie: None at all.

Interviewer: Dr. Shelzie, what exactly did you mean when you said you found some of the things that the Regent said disconcerting?

Shelzie: What I meant was that the Regent claimed to be organizing her foundation to aid the people of Regina. Then stated that the distribution of funds was also at the whim of the organizations director. In this case, your Regent. In my mind this says to me that the money collected may not be distributed according to a fair and charitable fashion. Given that the Regent is also maneuvering for a position of power on Regina and her expressions of revolution which have appeared in her news fax articles, this leads me to believe that the money collected will be used for more of a political purpose rather than a charitable one.

Interviewer: Do I understand you to say that the Regent is trying to incite a revolution and is attempting to fund it with her social assistance foundation??

Shelzie: That is how it appears to me.

Interviewer: And you feel that this is a cause for concern?

Shelzie: Absolutely. Whenever a person or organization claims to be for the benefit to the people it has a higher obligation than politics. To claim this benefit then turn around and declare that the benefit might only be given at the whim of a single person, they simply create the deception of that person or organization is actually working towards the good of the people--especially if the person or organization is politically motivated.

Interviewer: Is this why you retracted your offer of 10Mcr to the Foundation for Social Assistance?

Shelzie: Yes it is.

Interviewer: What is your interpretation of the attempt of the Regent to adopt Victoria Aledon?

Shelzie: I don't know the Regent's mind of course. But I think it is in part, a sympathy ploy in order to gain support among the masses. The rumors of the tampering with the Regent's car and the framing of the Macenites certainly does make one start to wonder about conspiracy theories. And the Regent is certainly riding a big wave of popular support. Inevitably though, all waves crash. Right now Regina is in a serious political flux. And I think that the Regent is doing whatever she can to solidify her position. To that end the adoption of Victoria makes the Regent look good. I have a slightly more cynical view on the situation though. "Keep your friends close. And keep your enemies closer."

Interviewer: How does that pertain to the Regent?

Shelzie: At face value like I said. The Regent can use the adoption to solidify her position. I think that deeper down though there is a real possibility that the Regent may be looking to the future. When Victoria comes of age she could assert herself as the rightful heir. By adopting Victoria, Corina can be in a position to influence the child through her growing years. Let's not forget that this young noble has been the victim of some very violent crimes and has suffered very traumatic emotional losses. And now comes her "savior and rescuer" --the Regent. Forgive me, but I don't think that any one in the Regent's position is so altruistic as to suddenly become a caring parent.

Interviewer: That is a very accusatory statement Dr. Shelzie.

Shelzie: Yes it is. But If I were one of the local citizens of Regina I would be scrutinizing every possible motive behind this power struggle.

Interviewer: Do you think that the Solomani presence here has anything to do with the current events?

Shelzie: Again I don't have any way to know for certain. But it would not surprise me in the least.

Interviewer: What are your plans now? It seems that you came here for a specific purpose and that has now changed?

Shelzie: Actually the purpose behind my visit to Regina hasn't changed much at all. I came here to help set up a new charity and to offer my assistance with fund raising. In light of the current situation I will be placing the 10Mcr I originally offered the Regent's foundation in the Shelzie Relief Foundation's coffers. I have also planned a fund raiser to take place soon. I am hoping to have some of the visiting dignitaries attend the fund raiser.

Interviewer: Where are you planning to have this fund raiser.?

Shelzie: I am planning on having the fund raiser on my private yacht.

Interviewer: Dr. Shelzie... What do you see in the near future for Regina?

Shelzie: I see a Regina as finally being at peace with itself eventually. Unfortunately there is a time immediately ahead where the local citizens are going to have to make some hard choices. For a long time Regina has been exactly what the majority of the Imperium thinks it is... A lawless, chaotic frontier. Your own law enforcement doesn't even answer to the laws of justice and of the people. But rather the justice of the streets, and the justice of the corporate CEO's .A good example is the so called "Regina Suicide" How many murders have been committed and that excuse given?

Interviewer: What would you suggest to correct this situation then?

Shelzie: Well there does definitely need to be a strong government. However, that government needs to be responsible for it's actions. It needs to be motivated by a genuine compassion for it's citizens. With laws that are fair and just for all classes of people. Not just for the elite or the rich and powerful. And definitely all levels of government need to be accountable.

Interviewer: Do you think that the Imperium and Zhodani delegations will be able to bring any of this about during the talks?

Shelzie: I'm hopeful that they will be able to resolve some of the issues keeping Regina as a buffer zone between these two empires. I don't think it will happen over night though. There might even be a few surprises.

Interviewer: Are you saying that you have a little inside information??

Shelzie:(chuckles) Don't I wish... It would certainly make administering my business and interests a lot easier.

Interviewer: Well Dr. Shelzie We really appreciate you taking the time to share your views with us and our readers.

[Note] Dr. Shelzie will be hosting this fund raiser on his private yacht. The date for the event is 012-1122. Which coincides with the time that the delegations from the Imperial and Zhodani governments will be on Regina. Dr. Shelzie has invited representatives from both governments as well as representatives from Regina to the CR100 per plate event. The event is limited to only a about 200 attendee's so get your spot reserved early.