- Joined
- Dec 24, 2017
- Messages
- 543
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- 758
"Hello and good evening everybody." Abi Gora began at her news desk, sitting at the same desk as her Mon Calamari political expert Eekin Baskiv, "I'm Abi Gora..."
Her partner piped up with his own name.
"... and I'm Eekin Baskiv..."
Before the camera pivoted back to Abi.
"... and tonight we will be discussing the historic scene in the senate today."
At her segue, scenes from the senate floor would be played from the live broadcast that had been played directly earlier in the night. Shots lingered on Emryc Thorne, standing tall and proud as he spoke for his people. Other senators, such as Senators Drast and Jakar, also received some screen time as the cameras rolled during their speeches.
For this segment the speeches themselves were muted, the visual of the senate at work being what the editors had been going for.
"Today the senate, along with representatives from both the Independent Systems Consortium and the Jedi Order, discussed a change to the political system in the Galaxy. Eekin, I believe it was a call from the representative of Kuat who called for the main article of the meeting?"
The Mon Calamari took a long drink of water as Abi was wording her question and nodded before holding up a webbed hand.
"Before we get to the proposal itself, Abi, I think we need to draw attention to the fact that we were only able to actually SEE this hearing of the senate go ahead because of the words of one, Emryc Thorne."
Another clip would roll on Eekin's request, this time with sound. The clip clearly showed Emryc Thorne calling for the session to be broadcast publicly before anyone else. Once the clip was complete, Eekin shook his head sadly.
"While we thank Mr Thorne for bringing this up - what does it say about our own senators that none of them were the ones to mention it? Certainly they all agreed to it but who's to say WHY they agreed to it after being shown up by an independent!"
Abi lightly brushed her ear as she received instructions from their producer to move Eekin along before the Mon Calamari could begin his passable impression of a certain other newscaster.
"But Eekin, what was actually discussed and why does it effect our viewers at home?"
Recognizing the light chastisement for what it was, Eekin took another drink of water before answering the original question.
"Well Abi, the discussion was about expanding the Galactic Senate to include a representative from every planet. This was soundly defeated by the Senate and accompanying representatives by the counter proposal to keep senate numbers roughly the same; while granting official positions to both the head of the ISC and Jedi Order."
A very simple summary so that everyone at home, who had never bothered to think about politics, did not feel left out. One that segued very neatly into a concern that was largely felt around the Galaxy.
"A representative from the Jedi Order - does this mean the Jedi would have a vote in the senate?"
While Eekin was no fan of the Jedi, he wasn't able to twist facts to suit that narrative when his producer was pushing him to keep it short, simple and factual.
"No, the Jedi Order does not having voting rights. Instead they are represented in the senate to give council when asked and to better co-ordinate their efforts with the rest of the Galaxy so that their actions may be LAWFUL - lest they be held accountable by the senate."
Abi made a show of nodding with a serious expression, even though she was merely asking questions and responding as per the requests of their editor and producer.
"And what of Mr Thorne and the ISC? Do they retain voting rights?"
Another slow, thoughtful, nod from Eekin.
"Indeed - Mr Thorne has voting rights within the Galactic senate as he is presenting several planets. While he is currently in charge of those planets and representing them, think of him as being similar to the Republic Chancellors of old; he is elected by the planets of the ISC to be their leader and their voice in the wider Galaxy. It is just and fair he have a chance to cast votes in their name and in their interests!"
Abi frowned in a calculated move.
"And why was this set up deemed better than the alternative? Why shouldn't every planet get a voice?"
Eekin was shaking his head before she was even done.
"As was brought up by numerous senators during the meeting; bloat. The senate would become so bloated with ideas and egos and opinions that nothing would ever get done. You think it takes a long time for a bill to pass now? Just try waiting on thousands of sentients to all agree on each part of it! No, this scaled down version promises to be much smoother!"
Abi nodded to her co-star before turning her attention back to the camera as it panned to mainly focus on her.
"And there we have it - our Galactic Senate, streamlined for our convenience with the voices of Independent planets no longer silenced. This has been the news at eleven; we shall see you at 7. Have a good night everybody!"