192:5

From: Gallivanting Tripper (tripper_at_zad.att.ne.jp)
Date: Thu Aug 22 2002 - 04:35:57 PDT


From: G. Tripper, RO H&S Advocate
To:  All FRC Legal Counsel
Re: Substance Abuse

Gentlement, I am referring here specifically to RO abuse.

Previous memos (explicitly 192:3 and 192:4) have bandied various clauses and
implications of the ROs, preposessing to posess some kind of authority as to
said interpretations.

This, unfortunately, could be nonsense.  How do we even know which ROs are
the ROs on this ephemeral internet? (Or even to talk about them see RO 7)

This begs the question of "Who is the judge of the ROs?"  Surely only the
Judge can ultimately be the judge (see RO 6)  (RO 6 "There is no ... RO
6!"). So given that this particular Judge has absolute power on the
interpretation of the ROs, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, the Judge
could simply (unreasonably) abuse (er, I meant "interpret") the ROs to
unilaterally end the round, reinstate himself and set up Imperial FRC as it
were.

The main problem with this interpretation is that it would mean the end of
FRC as we know it.  Small price to pay for taking over really.  Maybe a
flame war would ensue as a Rebel Alliance of players tries to free the FRC
from the tyranny of the Emperor Judge.

Finally, for those who came in late, and to stave off any chance of such
behaviour, here are the current ROs (to my imperfect knowledge) for all to
see.

Regular Ordinances of the Fantasy Rules Committee (FRC)

1. Ordinances.  There shall be two types of ordinances: regular ordinances
   and fantasy rules.  Fantasy rules shall have no effect on play except
   as provided for in the regular ordinances.

2. Membership.  Any person may become a member of this committee by
   posting in the committee forum a statement of intent to join.
   A member may resign from the committee at any time.

3. Starting a Round and posting Rules.
   Whenever a round of play ends, a new round should begin as soon as
   possible thereafter. The (new) Judge shall determine the exact time
   of the start of the round, and e may also suggest a theme for the
   round and nominate a member to post the first fantasy rule.
   All members are eligible as if they had posted a valid fantasy
   rule at the start of the round.
   Only those persons eligible to play may post fantasy rules.
   The Judge is not eligible.

4. Eligibility to play. Each valid fantasy rule makes its author eligible
   to play. This eligibility period lasts for seven (7) days from the
   time of the rule's posting minus one (1) day for each invalid fantasy
   rule posted by the same person after the valid fantasy rule.

5. End of Game.  If at any time after the seventh day of a round, there is
   only one person eligible to play, then
   (a) all current fantasy rules are repealed
   (b) the round ends
   (c) the sole remaining player is declared winner of the just ended
       round and becomes Judge.

6.  Judge.  The Judge is responsible for interpreting the ordinances and
    determining the validity of fantasy rules. If a fantasy rule is
    inconsistent with itself, previously posted valid fantasy rules, or
    the regular ordinances, then the Judge shall declare that rule invalid
    or unsuccesful, otherwise e shall declare it valid.

6a. A fantasy rule can only be declared unsuccesful if the only rule or
    rules it is inconsistent with are other fantasy rules for which it
    is reasonable to assume that the poster of the rule had not seen them
    before e posted the rule.

6b. Resignation.  The Judge may resign if e appoints a successor who agrees
    to serve as Judge until the end of the round.
[The new Judge becomes ineligible to play upon the old Judge's resignation.]

7.  Style Points.  For each fantasy rule posted, the Judge shall award X
    points, where -3<=X<=3.  The Judge may use any criteria e sees fit for
    such awards.  At the end of a Round the Player who has collected the
    most Style Points will be the Wizard in the next Round.

8.  Restrictions on Judge's Power. The decision of the Judge may be
    changed if a proposal is made to do so and that proposal
    receives a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members voting on
    that proposal within three (3) days after the posting of that
    proposal.

    Default. If the Judge does not declare judgment of a fantasy
    rule within three (3) days after its posting, e shall be
    considered then to have decided and declared that rule valid.

9.  Amendment.  The regular ordinances may be amended if a proposal is
    posted to do so and said proposal receives a two-thirds (2/3)
    affirmative vote of the members voting on that proposal within seven
    (7) days after the posting of that proposal.
    Overrule. The regular ordinances may be overruled for a single
    round if a proposal is posted to do so and said proposal receives
    a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the members voting on that
    proposal within three (3) days after the posting of that proposal.

10.  Where to Do Things.  All actions under these rules must be accomplished
     by a public posting in the official committee forum.
     The Judge may determine the location and nature of the official
     committee forum.

PS - in honor of the Judge's Imperial ambitions, each future rule shall
include a gratuitous epic movie reference.  And will hiding this bizarre
restriction at the end of such a long rule gain or lose style points for
sneakiness?

--
Rule Date: 2002-08-22 11:34:05 GMT


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