Retirement of Picard and Jesse
Posted: June 25th, 2014, 2:33 am
Officers of Federation Command,
As the Judge Advocate General diligently pointed out, the presence of an active Executive Committee can be interpreted to render the Fleet Admiral's powers null and void. The Fleet Admiral was judged to derive his powers at the whim of the Executive Committee. Under this advisement, Artful has decided to remove his Fleet Admiral pips and surrender command responsibility as a sign of fealty to the Executive Committee (beloved by all).
Artful's action to render himself subservient, and to place the Fleet Admiral position in abeyance, is contrary to the Executive Committee's intentions. We wish for Artful, and successor Fleet Admirals, to have unambiguous command authority over Federation Command. So that they may have the full chance to develop FC's potential, as Picard and I have enjoyed in various forms over the previous 10 years.
The duality of the Executive Committee is both to command the Fleet, but also to protect it from deviating from its founding principles. In other words, to protect it from predatory Fleet Admirals and Councils. To protect it from the same fate that ended the United Federation of Planets. Picard and I take this second duty most seriously. Consequently, we cannot condone, now or ever, a constitutional amendment to limit the Executive Committee's powers, or grow that of the Fleet Admiral. It would be contrary to our primary responsibility, and to the very reasons FC was founded.
We believe that our best remaining option is to align ourselves more completely with the exact wording of the Constitution. Clearly, Artful feels a situation in which his power is derived from the Executive Committee, and not the Constitution, is an impedance to his own ability to command this Fleet. Today, we address this.
Picard and I hereby retire from Federation Command, and designate Artful as Fleet Admiral successor. If Artful no longer feels up to the challenge and great opportunity of commanding this Fleet, then designation of the Fleet Admiral shall follow the procedure outlined in the constitution. I believe this would make Admiral Exeter next in line. I have full faith in either officer to be a fine Fleet Admiral.
As a final Executive Committee ruling, Picard and I grant ourselves - by act of policy - continued full forum admin access (founder level) and full FTP access so that we may carry out our vigilance and decide if the EC needs reactivating once more. We will maintain membership in the "Executive Committee" group for security reasons, but it will no longer define us. As such, we have appointed ourselves to the Privy Council, and set this as our default group. So that we can advise Future Fleet Admirals as required.
The Fleet Admiral is now free to make decisions in the name of Federation Command without fear of Executive Committee contradiction. As such, the Executive Committee places the full burden of command, responsibility and accountability directly on the Fleet Admiral's shoulders. May the Fleet Admiral have the strength to bear it and to bring FC to new heights.
Executive Committee signing off,
Fleet Admiral Jesse
Fleet Admiral Picard
p.s. this announcement will "unstick" after 7 days.
As the Judge Advocate General diligently pointed out, the presence of an active Executive Committee can be interpreted to render the Fleet Admiral's powers null and void. The Fleet Admiral was judged to derive his powers at the whim of the Executive Committee. Under this advisement, Artful has decided to remove his Fleet Admiral pips and surrender command responsibility as a sign of fealty to the Executive Committee (beloved by all).
Artful's action to render himself subservient, and to place the Fleet Admiral position in abeyance, is contrary to the Executive Committee's intentions. We wish for Artful, and successor Fleet Admirals, to have unambiguous command authority over Federation Command. So that they may have the full chance to develop FC's potential, as Picard and I have enjoyed in various forms over the previous 10 years.
The duality of the Executive Committee is both to command the Fleet, but also to protect it from deviating from its founding principles. In other words, to protect it from predatory Fleet Admirals and Councils. To protect it from the same fate that ended the United Federation of Planets. Picard and I take this second duty most seriously. Consequently, we cannot condone, now or ever, a constitutional amendment to limit the Executive Committee's powers, or grow that of the Fleet Admiral. It would be contrary to our primary responsibility, and to the very reasons FC was founded.
We believe that our best remaining option is to align ourselves more completely with the exact wording of the Constitution. Clearly, Artful feels a situation in which his power is derived from the Executive Committee, and not the Constitution, is an impedance to his own ability to command this Fleet. Today, we address this.
Picard and I hereby retire from Federation Command, and designate Artful as Fleet Admiral successor. If Artful no longer feels up to the challenge and great opportunity of commanding this Fleet, then designation of the Fleet Admiral shall follow the procedure outlined in the constitution. I believe this would make Admiral Exeter next in line. I have full faith in either officer to be a fine Fleet Admiral.
As a final Executive Committee ruling, Picard and I grant ourselves - by act of policy - continued full forum admin access (founder level) and full FTP access so that we may carry out our vigilance and decide if the EC needs reactivating once more. We will maintain membership in the "Executive Committee" group for security reasons, but it will no longer define us. As such, we have appointed ourselves to the Privy Council, and set this as our default group. So that we can advise Future Fleet Admirals as required.
The Fleet Admiral is now free to make decisions in the name of Federation Command without fear of Executive Committee contradiction. As such, the Executive Committee places the full burden of command, responsibility and accountability directly on the Fleet Admiral's shoulders. May the Fleet Admiral have the strength to bear it and to bring FC to new heights.
Executive Committee signing off,
Fleet Admiral Jesse
Fleet Admiral Picard
p.s. this announcement will "unstick" after 7 days.