Menuhaeo says Grassadellia will not pay ransom to terrorists

MAVOCKE - Remaining steadfast, President Brenton Menuhaeo reiterated his stance against paying ransoms to terrorists Sunday.

Speaking to the conservative-leaning National Defense Council (NDC), Menuhaeo was emphatic that Grassadellia's state department remains committed to its policy of not paying ransoms for hostages.

"Grassadellia will not negotiate with terrorists. That was the policy of my predecessor, and it will continue to be the policy under my leadership," said Menuhaeo.

Menuhaeo's comments come after many hostages from various nations have been kidnapped by the Muslim terrorist group Islamic State (known as ISIS or ISIL).

Some countries, such as France, have paid ransoms for hostages. But critics say the ransoms provide millions of dollars to support the terrorist regime, and encourage future kidnappings of Westerners.

So far, no Grassadellians have been held for ransom, but hostages from the US, United Kingdom, and Japan have been executed after ransoms were not received.

Most recently, the group demanded $200 million within 72 hours for the safe release of Japanese hostages Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa.

On Sunday, the group released a video purporting to show photos of Haruna Yukawa beheaded.

Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, called Haruna's killing "outrageous and unforgivable" and vowed Japan "will never give in to terrorism, and we will actively contribute to the peace and stability of the world together with the international community. We are not wavering at all on this policy."

President Brenton Menuhaeo also condemned Haruna's death, calling it "barbaric beyond words."

"ISIL and other groups like them that use violence and torture as a means of intimidation under the guise of religion should be and will rightfully be defeated and eradicated," said Menuhaeo. "Grassadellia strongly condemns this heinous act of barbarism, and joins the international community condemning these vicious acts by ISIL and their affiliates."

Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett said on the GBC's The Nation Today that Grassadellia "stands in solidarity with our Japanese friends."

"The shocking and abhorrent killing of Mr. Yukawa is unacceptable and unwarranted, and Grassadellia strongly supports our ally and friend Japan as they confront the ugliness of humanity which is ISIL," said Hunter-Garrett.

President Menuhaeo is expected later this week to pledge $400 million to fight ISIL and affiliated groups in the Middle East. He is expected to have overwhelming support for the proposal in both houses of Congress.

Ben Jordan sympathizes with anti-Islam protesters

BROOKINGS - Newly-elected Biereland Gov. Ben Jordan is facing mounting criticism after expressing sympathy for anti-Islam protesters.

Jordan, a Conservative, told GBC Radio he can see why anti-Islam protesters, whom have staged large rallies and riots across Grassadellia and much of Europe in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shooting and similar attacks in France, are upset.

"I can understand why people are upset. We've treated radical Islamic terrorists with kid gloves in this country, and in all Western countries, out of fear of being politically incorrect. We've sugar-coated radical Islam. We go around saying these terrorists are 'not really Muslim.' And we call Islam a 'religion of peace.' We've been reluctant to call these terrorists what they are: murderous, barbaric savages. Because of political correctness, we have made our country vulnerable to terrorist attacks because we're afraid to confront the issue because we don't want to step on any toes. It's insanity," said Jordan in a press conference outside the Biereland capital building in Brookings.

Jordan insisted he does not condone hatred or discrimination toward Muslims.

"There are good Muslim people out there, that are peaceful and law-abiding. And we ought to support those good Muslim people and acknowledge them and praise them for being valuable members of our society. But at the same time, we can't ignore those who use the banner of religion as a pretext for extremism and violence against our citizens and our democratic principles," he said.

Jordan said he does not endorse the groups organizing the protests.

"I don't agree with much of their message. Much of what they're saying and doing is based on ignorance and generalities. I don't believe all Muslims are bad people, and I don't think we should discriminate against anyone based on their color or race or nationality or religion. But I can certainly see why many people feel frustrated in this country..frustrated that the government is naive on this issue, frustrated that our culture instantly brands you as a racist if you call out religious extremists. We need to be able to call evil what it is: evil, without fear of reprisal or being labeled a bigot," said Jordan.

The governor's comments have drawn ire from political and faith leaders alike.

"He is just such an embarrassment to our state," San Bartholomew (N), who lost re-election to Jordan in December, told host John Rogers on Brooking's 1450 AM "The Big Squeeze."

"How the governor of a state could side with a racist, white supremacist group that advocates hatred and bigotry, it's beyond me." said Bartholomew.

Hadim Masoud, Director of the Brookings Islamic Center, told the Greene Mountain Press (GMP) that Jordan's comments were reckless.

"The last thing these radical Aryan protesters need is a well-known Conservative politician backing them publicly. That just add oxygen to their fire," said Massoud.

"If the governor truly had an interest in racial harmony, he would be sitting down with Muslim leaders and talking about how to engage the Muslim community in a positive way," added Massoud.

Brookings Mayor Rich DeFrancesco - who ran for governor last year but lost against Jordan in the CNS primary -  told the GMP he does not support the anti-Islam protests, but he does recognize the threat of terrorism and extremism.

"My number one priority as mayor of this city is to keep the people of our city safe. And there is a very real threat of terrorist attacks by religious extremists, of all religions. I think we need to be cognizant of the threat of terror and the danger that is very present, but we need to be sure not to point the finger at one group. Terrorism comes in all shapes and forms," said the mayor.

"I think these protests do more harm than good. We need to be building bridges between white Grassadellians and Middle Eastern Grassadellians, and these protests really just burn a lot of those bridges," said DeFrancesco.

Jordan's comments were assailed by other political leaders, including Damoign Gov. Rod Penora (N), who called Jordan a "dumbf--k" for embracing the anti-Islam movement.

"I don't even know the man but his comments just go to show how ignorant and uninformed a lot of old white rich men in this country are," Penora told the Mattinow Aurora newspaper.

Meanwhile, in Wilkonshire, Gov. Caroline Jepsey (N) attended a "unity event" in Christon in the wake of anti-Islam protests there last week.

Jepsey told the NPF, "I think in light of what's gone on lately in France and Belgium and the Middle East, I think we as a city, as a state, as a country, we really need to come together and show our Muslim brothers and sisters that we do not brand them with this terrorist label. Some extreme people have used religion as a weapon, but the vast majority of Muslim Grassadellians are good, honest, peaceful people. And this unity gathering is really to show our support for the Muslim community."

A spokesperson for Ben Jordan's office said the governor plans to meet with anti-Islam protesters and local Muslim leaders.

"Governor Jordan sees both sides of this issue, and he understands that there are grievances and fears on both sides, and each party has concerns, and he wants to meet with both sides and express his support for non-violence, for racial unity, for protection against terrorism, and for mutual understanding," said spokesman Kyle Landers.

Anti-Islam protests flare up across Grassadellia

BROOKINGS, Biereland -- In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris that killed 12 people on January 7, anti-Islam protests have cropped up across France and the entire European Union.

And this week, those protests spread to Grassadellia.

More than 7,000 people crowded into Ebhardt Square in the heart of downtown Brookings Saturday, chanting "Islam means war" and "Je suis Charlie," the catchphrase made famous in France following the Charlie Hebdo shootings that means "I am Charlie."

Similar protests occurred across Biereland: more than 3,000 people in the eastern Biereland city of Aventhalle; an estimated 2,700 in Welhausen; 2,500 in the southern city of Kensington, and smaller numbers in Gerbannon and Barringer.

Elsewhere across Grassadellia, larger protests took place. Almost 21,000 people turned out in Meledone Place in downtown Monvaille, closing down an outdoor ice rink that is normally filled with parents and children ice skating.

Madagen police struggled to maintain peace as more than 14,000 protesters crowded into Rothsbury Square in the city's central business district. Some 380 people were arrested for public disorder and rioting; most were released on their own recognizance.

In Grassadellia City, a modest crowd attended a protest sponsored by the anti-immigrant group the Alliance for the Preservation of Grassadellian Culture (APGC). In a post on it's Facebook page, the APGC claimed an attendance of more than 15,000, but Grassadellia City Metropolitan Police put the number closer to 6,000.

Further south in Riverton, Damoign, some protesters burned burqas, the traditional Muslim veil, while shouting anti-Muslim slogans. Police say no one was arrested, but extra police were brought in as a precaution.

No major problems were reported at similar protests in Lanakis, Trieton, and Wilmington, Trin.

Capitol Police in Mavocke confirmed 74 people were arrested outside Collester during a protest there.

The sudden surge in anti-Islamic sentiment, sometimes called "Islamophobia," has many concerned.

"These protests are not about defending Grassadellian values, they are about maligning Muslims and spreading fear and hatred about Middle Eastern peoples," said Annette Johnson-Wilks, who heads the Grassadellian Centre for Human Rights.

The country's largest Muslim advocacy organization, Muslims United, also condemned the protests.

"The attacks in France were wrong and unjust. But equally wrong and unjust are the misguided and unwarranted protesters who seek to eradicate Muslim influence and contributions in Grassadellian society," said Mohammed Al-Houdad, Vice President of the group.

Nationalist politicians - and many Conservative - have rushed to condemn what they view to be Islamophobic and xenophobic behaviour.

"These groups that are protesting against Muslims are only proving how ignorant they are," said Damoign Sen. Deborah Kay (N).

President Menuhaeo called the protests "a high point for the intolerance movement," but questioned whether they would have a lasting impact.

"I think most Grassadellians know that our citizens are more than just their nationality or their religion or language, and the Grassadellian people will see through these thinly-veiled 'protests,'" said Menuhaeo.

In Grassadellia City, Mayor Kellan Kastol was glad his city's residents ignored the protests.

"For the most part, Grassadellia Cityites ignored these protesters and their doctrine of hate, and I appreciate that we as a city are mature enough and tolerant enough to allow the protests and the freedom of speech, but also ignore the message of hate that is being propagated," Kastol told Radio 9.

In Biereland, which has a history of white supremacist sentiment and groups, Sen. Julie Grendhau (N) said she was "ashamed" of the protests.

"It makes me sad to be a Bierelander. Because people turn on the news and see that these awful protests against our Muslim neighbors are going on and they identify that with Biereland. And Biereland is not a place of hate. We are a wonderful, loving state where people of all faiths and backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to thrive. It makes me sad that this kind of attitude is tarnishing our state's reputation," she said in an interview with local media.

Biereland's other three senators - all Conservatives - released statements calling for peaceful protests, but none condemned the protests outright.

"Freedom of speech is celebrated in this country, and these groups ought to have the same right to freedom of expression as you and I have," said Sen. Jhana Schueler. "But these protests must remain peaceful, and should not advance or advocate for suspicion or harm toward our Muslim neighbors."

Sen. Robert Browning said on The Nation Today, "These are emotional times, and Biereland, like the rest of the country and the rest of the world, is having an emotional debate about religion and race. And it's okay to have that discussion, as long as it remains peaceful and respectful."

The protests should be expected, Sen. Brad Bearns said, as he virtually ignored a question posed to him by a journalist about the morality of the protests and began talking about political correctness.

"These protests are in large part due to a blanket of political correctness that has pervaded across this country. We have a situation where terrorism cannot be attributed to radical Muslims because many in the media and the political power structure deem that "offensive." What we need right now is an open and honest conversation about radical Islam in this country and in countries around the world. But unfortunately, many people aren't willing to have that discussion. So you're seeing a lot of fed up people moving to the streets to vent their anger at the intolerance and the bigotry and extremism of radical Muslim groups and their followers," said Bearns.

Bierelan's outgoing governor, Nationalist San Bartholomew, said he was disgusted by the protests.

"These people that are protesting are ignorant, stupid, uninformed, and prejudiced. I hope the rest of Biereland rejects their behaviour and their beliefs as much as I do."

The nation's most prominent Arab political figure, Wellington Sen. Nadan Saralo (N) told the GBC he found the protests "disheartening."

"Grassadellia is so much better than that. We are a loving people, a great country where people from all walks of life are welcomed and can live freely. And to see this kind of hatred and intolerance being masked as 'freedom of speech' is saddening," said Saralo.

Meanwhile, the National Centre for Responsible Immigration Policies (NCRIP) defended the protests.

"We don't necessarily agree with all of their message, but we agree that political correctness is choking civil liberties in this country, and we agree that our nation's immigration laws need to be drastically changed very quickly if we are to avoid becoming a haven for radical Islamic terrorists," said Katie Van Ophen, a spokeswoman for the centre-right advocacy group.

Though the group traditionally defends liberal ideals, the National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) also defended the protesters.

"The far-right supporters have every right to speak their mind the same way we all do, and we support that right. At the same time, we support and defend Muslim Grassadellians who feel alienated and shut out from the political and social conversation because of the extreme acts of a few radical terrorists in other countries," Rick Salvado, president of the NCCL told Air1 Radio.

Some Conservatives, such as Ansleigha Gov. Dale Lindstrom and newly-elected Gov. David Brown (Marchenay), expressed dissatisfaction with the anti-Islam rallies.

"I don't think these protests do anything to advance a healthy discussion about race in this country," Lindstrom told STAR-TV.

Brown, who is set to take office this week, asked for calm in the coming weeks on the streets of Madagen.

"People are entitled to their opinions, but lets express those opinions in a civil, respectful and tolerant manner," said Brown.

The sweeping protests come amid similar protests in France, Germany, Belgium, and across Europe.

Last week, Crown Police increased protection at several locations across the country, including the offices of several newspapers and magazines.

President Menuhaeo also announced that security would be tightened at houses of worship across the nation.

"There is nothing we take more seriously in this country than the guarantee of peace and the freedom to worship. We will not let the terrorists steal those things from us," said Menuhaeo.

Halitz, Lindselli blame each other for Senate loss

BIRCH HOLLOW, East Deschire -- After a state judge's ruling yesterday that declared Nationalist Donna Rae Cobb the victor in East Deschire's three-way Senate race, the two Conservatives candidates blamed each other for being the spoiler candidate.

Denna Halitz, who was the incumbent when the race began, blamed her far-right opponent, former Sen. Nancy Lindselli, for losing what should have been an easy victory for the CNS party.

"If she (Lindselli) would have just let me run and not targeted me for defeat in the primary, I would have gone on to win comfortably in the general election," Halitz said in a Mavocke interview with the National Radio Broadcasters. "But instead she insisted on declaring war on me, a fellow Conservative, and that resulted in the Nationalist party winning and the Conservative party losing a seat it should have never lost."

A moderate, Halitz was favored to retain her seat in the general election. But Lindselli, who is far more conservative, challenged Halitz for the CNS nomination.

After several recounts, Lindselli was declared the winner of the primary, knocking Halitz out of the race.

However, in a surprise twist, Halitz announced she would continue her campaign into the general election as an Independent candidate - an uphill climb for any politician in any race.

So the general election contest became a three-way race between Nancy Lindselli, the Conservative candidate; Denna Halitz, the Independent candidate; and Nationalist Donna Rae Cobb.

This unusual situation gave Cobb a decisive advantage in the general election. As the only centre-left candidate, she stood to receive the most votes while her two squabbling conservative opponents split the centre-right vote.

Sure enough, that's exactly what happened.

Cobb, a moderately liberal assemblywoman from Hansboro, took 48% of the vote, or 867,227 votes, almost twice as many votes as incumbent Denna Halitz (I), who won just 24% or 435,791 votes, respectively.

The fiery and unabashed conservative Nancy Lindselli received 28% (506,900 votes).

Thus, Halitz was defeated and lost her seat.

But under East Deschire law, a candidate must receive a 50% plus one majority of the vote to be declared the winner.

So Cobb and Lindselli faced each other again in a head-to-head run-off election on January 5, 2015.

The run-off election, with much less voter turnout (only 21%), favored Cobb as the front-runner. But the Lindselli campaign fired up Conservative voters, who were enthused following the party's successful sweep of elections in November.

Lindselli framed the run-off election as not only a race against Donna Rae Cobb, but a race against the Nationalist party in general, including President Brenton Menuhaeo and Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial).

"This is not just a race for East Deschire, this is a race for the heart and soul of this country. This is a race of wrong-versus-right, of common sense conservatives versus socialist liberals who have chipped away at our freedoms piece by piece over the past decade," Lindselli bellowed at a campaign rally in Doylestown, two days before the run-off.

Despite the energy of Lindselli's supporters, Cobb ended up winning the run-off slightly, taking 50.2% to Lindselli's 49.8%, a difference of 2,182 votes out of more than 550,000 cast.

The Lindselli campaign instantly filed a lawsuit, submitting formal challenges to the election results in two counties: Lynchman County in north-central East Deschire, and Mackinee County in the northeast.

A state judge overruled both complaints, and let the previous vote totals stand.

The Lindselli campaign paid for recounts in both counties but the vote totals did not change except by a few votes - not enough to change the outcome of the race.

Lindselli formally conceded the race following the recounts. Her campaign will not be reimbursed for the cost of the recounts because they did not change the outcome of the race.

Now, Donna Rae Cobb will go on to become East Deschire's fifth female senator in the state's history.

She will now join East Deschire's three other senators: Portia McLendon (N), Allison Sweeten (N), and Mike Aventhalle (C).

And in the aftermath of her victory, Cobb's two conservative opponents - Lindselli and Halitz - are blaming each other for Cobb's win.

"Nancy Lindselli needlessly picked a fight with me and neither one of us won. Donna Rae Cobb won," Halitz said told reporters at a press conference in her hometown of Christenkerr last week.

Lindselli was "the NAT's greatest asset in the race," Halitz added.

"She (Lindselli) basically won the race for them. Forget money or campaign ads or endorsements. The Nationalist party's best weapon in this race was Nancy Lindselli. She challenged me when the CNS party leaders told her not to. She went after me as if I were Satan himself. She attacked me, took shots at me, and she divided the whole Conservative party. And that basically handed this race to the Nationalist," said Halitz.

Lindselli, not surprisingly, laid the blame squarely at the feet of Denna Halitz.

"Last time I checked, we live in a democracy. I had the right to challenge Denna. She was not representing the people of East Deschire the way they want to be represented. I decided to take a stand, take my argument to the voters and let them decide who should represent our party. The voters rejected Denna and chose me, fair and square. Any noble candidate worth a couple beans would have gracefully bowed out and accepted defeat and wished their opponent well. But Denna threw a hissy fit and refused to withdraw from the race. She was determined to stay in the race as an Independent. And that resulted in Conservatives splitting the vote and Donna Rae Cobb winning. If there's anyone to blame, it's Denna Halitz. Her stubbornness and her pride were the reasons Conservatives lost this race," said a defiant Lindselli in an interview with a Hansboro television station.

In a video posted on her campaign website, Donna Rae Cobb thanked both Lindselli and Halitz, and vowed to move past the political infighting that became commonplace in the Senate race.

"I'm not happy that I won in the midst of such a brutal campaign by my opponents. I would much rather have had a polite, civil campaign. I don't take delight in winning in these circumstances. But I hope that all East Deschireans can move forward and put this race behind us, and look to the future," said Cobb.

It's unclear what lies ahead for Denna Halitz and Nancy Lindselli.

At age 44, Denna Halitz could run for office again in the future. Some see her as a potential challenger to Sen. Portia McLendon (N), who will be up for re-election in 2016.

Halitz has hinted she will likely return to the private sector.

Many Conservatives hope Lindselli, 77, who is no stranger to controversy with her far-right positions, will retire. But the firebrand former senator told the National Press Federation (NPF) she has "a lot of energy" and will not "just sit down and shut up like a lot of people want me to."

Lindselli also told the NPF she is considering challenging McLendon in 2016.

"I haven't ruled it out yet. I need more time to think about it. But certainly it's something I'm entertaining. Some people say, 'well you're a senior citizen you're too old to do this stuff.' I might be a senior citizen but just because I'm old doesn't mean I have to just sit down and shut up like a lot of people want me to. I can still contribute and make myself useful. I'm a fighter and I will fight as long as I can."