Heidi Wolmach, Jon Ralston spar over gun legislation

MAVOCKE -- In the wake of a deadly mass-shooting, Nationalist politicians are more motivated than ever before to push forward gun control legislation.

They're running up against opposition from their Conservative colleagues, however.

Conservatives have recommended improvements to the nation's mental health system instead of gun control statutes.

But a prominent NAT senator says voters will force Conservatives' hands on the issue.

Heidi Wolmach, a senator from Marchenay, told GNN's Chris Metos that gun control will be a 'defining issue' in the upcoming 2020 elections.

"The people of this country demand action. They demand change. They demand reform. And the Conservative Party is refusing to listen. They're blatantly defying the will of the people," said Wolmach on Metos' Now This program.

"But the thing is, Chris, if the Conservatives won't listen, if they refuse to do what the people demand, the voters will do something. And the Nationalist Party is not going to ignore the will of the people. We will stand with the victims of these shootings. We will stand with the mothers who lose their kids to gun violence. We will stand with the kids who live in fear of a school shooting. We will stand with the victims who are paralyzed and permanently injured because of gun fire. We will stand with them."

When asked about Wolmach's comments Wednesday, the top Conservative in the Senate, Jon Ralston of Ansleigha, rolled his eyes and dismissed Wolmach's words with a wave of his hand.

"That's ridiculous," he muttered.

"Senator Wolmach is good at making dramatic statements on television. But the reality is, the Conservative Party stands with victims too. That's why we support gun rights. Because no one should have to live in fear. No one should be defenseless when they're attacked or mugged. People have a right to defend themselves and their families from criminals and intruders, and the Conservative Party stands with those people," said Ralston.

He added the CNS is in the process of crafting a major overhaul of the nation's mental health system, which is the solution to mass-shootings.

"We aren't ignoring the will of the people. They people do want change, and they do want action. And that's why we're moving on mental health, because that's where the problem begins. If you want to nip the problem in the bud, that's where you start. The Nationalist Party has put forward nothing that comes close to what we're proposing. And they never will, because they're just interested in rhetoric and instilling fear," said Ralston.

Meanwhile, a group of Nationalist senators and members of assembly are planning and will attend a candlelight vigil at the nation's capitol to honor the victims of gun violence.

The vigil is planned in the aftermath of the Grassadellia City ComicCon event at Sequester Lane, where 21 people died and over 30 people were injured when a gunman opened fire at random.

The Grassadellian Rifle Club, the country's largest gun-rights organization, has spent $15 million in the last month on TV, radio and internet ads that support and advocate for mental health reform.

Max Kiesling says feud with POG governor will not affect funding for state's schools

MAVOCKE -- He just got confirmed as the nation's next Education Secretary, but the moment he was confirmed, reporters began asking Max Kiesling if his contentious relationship with POG Governor Ramon Ramos would affect his new job.

Kiesling, POG's former federal senator and secretary of state, has had a difficult relationship with Ramos.

Kiesling and Ramos both vied for the governorship in 2018. Ramos defeated Kiesling and two other candidates in the primary election.

After his primary defeat, Kiesling refused to endorse Ramos in the general election, and the two traded public jabs at each other.

Kiesling accused Ramos of being too partisan and uncivil, while Ramos said Kiesling was a sore loser.

But last week, the Federal Senate approved Kiesling as Grassadellia's next Education Secretary, at President Jim McCaren's request.

The Senate confirmed Kiesling by a vote of 79-17, with ultra-liberal and ultra-conservative senators opposing his nomination largely on ideological grounds.

Immediately though, Kiesling was asked about his feud with Ramos.

"Will your ongoing conflict with Ramon Ramos affect POG's schools system?" asked Duncan Wiley, a reporter from the Lansdale Focus.

"Of course not," said an agitated Kiesling. "Of course not. I have my issues with Ramon, but as Education Secretary, I will always put the students first, the students of every state. Political skirmishes and rivals will not overshadow or impact the work of the Education Department," said Kiesling.

Some lawmakers suggested Kiesling may withhold funds from POG's schools as a way to punish Ramos.

"That's a ridiculous notion, I can't believe you're even asking that," said a clearly irritated Kiesling. "I will never punish our schools, our students, our teachers, our communities by withholding funds or resources. Never."

A spokesperson for Ramos declined to comment on the issue.

As secretary of state, Kiesling was known for being a strong supporter of public schools. He has vowed to continue his support as education secretary.

"Our kids are our future. Every child deserves an opportunity to succeed and learn and grow. And I will do whatever I can, regardless of political battles, to make sure that every child in Grassadellia has the same opportunities to succeed."

President McCaren praised Kiesling as "even-handed" and "truly, authentically bipartisan."

"Max is the right person to improve our schools and to support our kids," said McCaren. "We need good teachers, we need good counselors, secretaries, school janitors, bus drivers, recess monitors. We need all that. But we also need good people at the top, and Max Kiesling is a great pick."

Paula Tulane will not switch parties

PERCASIN, Onakiah -- Rumors have been abounding in Onakiah lately about the political future of Governor Paula Tulane.


A moderate, centrist Nationalist, Tulane has breezed to election wins in recent years - a major accomplishment considering Onakiah is a Conservative-leaning state.

And in recent weeks, speculation that the moderate Nationalist might switch to the Conservative Party has been rampant.

It all started with Onakiah political blogger Matt Brecker, when he wrote an article predicting Tulane's defection to the CNS.

Other conservative radio and TV commentators joined in the speculation, as did some members of Onakiah's legislature.

But today, in an interview with Andrea Jennings of Owens Park 4NewsNow, Tulane made it clear she has no intention of leaving the NAT.

"I have always been a Nationalist. I grew up in a pro-union, pro-labor family. I served in the National Assembly as a Nationalist who was pro-union and pro-labor. And I'm a governor who is pro-union and pro-labor. I've always been a Nationalist and always will be."

Tulane has some of the highest approval ratings of any governor in the nation. She holds pro-labor views and holds mainstream NAT positions on health care and social security. However, she supports coal production, she has asked for additional border agents on Onakiah's southern border with Tundra, and she has routinely worked with Conservatives in the state legislature to pass a consensus agenda.

Critics point out that, while she has been re-elected governor twice, she has never faced any big-name opponents.

"It's easy to win re-election when you're running against a 'nobody,'" state Rep. Kevin Connor told the Owens Park Record newspaper.

Still, Tulane remains popular. A recent poll found 62% of Onakiahans approved of her.

Her term isn't up until 2022, and it's unclear if she'll even run for re-election.

But one thing is known: Paula Tulane will remain a Nationalist.

Sequester Lane charity concert raises over $30 million for victims, mental health

GRASSADELLIA CITY -- A televised charity concert has raised over $30 million for the victims of the Sequester Lane shooting rampage last month.

Twenty-one people died in the mass-shooting at Grassadellia City's ComicCon event in the Sequester Lane neighborhood. Over 30 people were injured.

A young child and teenagers were among the victims.

On Wednesday night, the nation's main television networks teamed up, sponsoring a nation-wide charity concert to raise funds for the victims' families and to help fund mental health awareness.

The show featured celebrities from different musical genres, including The Cons, Berta Evra, Massalon, Emily Porter and others, as well as a moving final tribute from indie singer Leifa Kimskey.

"There's no words that can describe our grief over what happened," said Kimskey, before she performed. "Fortunately, there's music," she said with a tearful smile.

After the concert, organizers said the concert netted over $30 million from millions of donors, mostly in the form of small donations of $20 or less.

The shooting shocked the nation and the comic community.

A motive for the shooting is still unclear. Crown Police have said the suspect was an avid comic fan, but they do not believe he had any animus against the comic community or industry.

"We feel this was a planned attack, it was targeted, but the victims, the venue, were chosen out of convenience rather than a grievance," said Metro Police Chief Barry Whitemore. "He just wanted a place with a lot of people and a large event like ComicCon was an attractive target for someone hoping to inflict a lot of damage."

The gunman, 19-year-old Caleb Danten, was shot and killed by police at the scene.

Danten's friends and family say he had struggled with mental health all through high school and after he dropped out of school.

Crown Police confirmed this week the guns Danten used in his attack were purchased legally by his mother and other family members.

It is believed Danten stole the weapons without family members' knowledge.

In the aftermath of the shooting, President Jim McCaren vowed to take action to stop future gun violence.

"What happened at the ComicCon, we can't have that happen again. We just can't," he said in a press conference last week.

Damoign Governor Jenna Duvan blamed Conservatives in Congress for not acting on gun safety legislation.

"There's a very simple solution to gun violence: stop selling them so easily," said Duvan.

Damoign's lone Conservative senator, Roman Chatskovy, has voted in favor of gun-control legislation in the past. He has also voiced support for future legislation.

However, the top Conservative senator in the chamber, Ansleigha Senator Jon Ralston, has said gun-control legislation is not a top priority for his caucus.

"Forbidding guns never works. It never has and it never will. But increasing mental health, getting disturbed and troubled people the help they need...that will make a difference," said Ralston.

Grassadellia City's officially independent but left-leaning mayor Kellan Kastol has said he may introduce tighter firearm restrictions for Grassadellia City if Congress won't act.

"We have to do something. We owe it to the families of this horrible tragedy," said Kastol.

The Grassadellian Rifle Club (GRC), the nation's largest pro-gun organization, has made a major media push in the wake of the shooting to emphasize mental health measures instead of gun control.