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Volume II, Issue
I, 21 August 2002
Latuff's Exclusive
Interview
Baracão
loves its Outreach. Any visit to the EzBoard or the website
will end up with the user looking at some kind of image conveying
a political message. One of the most effective forms of propaganda
is the political cartoon, and one of the most effective political
cartoonists in the world today is Carlos Latuff, author of the
famous 'We Are All Palestinian' series, depicted the many oppressed
people of the world over history (Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto,
Blacks in South Africa and so on), comparing them all to the
oppressed people of Palestine. The State News Agency hereby
brings you a world exclusive interview with Carlos Latuff, who we
thank very much for his time.
 Voice
of the Republic: How did you get involved in art? Do you
come from an artistic background?
Carlos Latuff: Since
the kindergarten, when I won a drawing contest. My prize: a
big coloured lollipop. My dream was to be an artist when adult.
I don't have exactly an artistic background. There is not an
artist among my parents and relatives.
VotR:
Which particular movement first grabbed your attention and made
you draw politically?
CL: I started political cartooning
in 1990, but not for political reasons. I had quit my one-year-job
as illustrator in a little advertising company and decided to
be a freelancer cartoonist. I was not able to find another job
on advertising. Political cartooning for trade-union papers
was the only opportunity. Only in 1997, when I saw a documentary
on Zapatistas, I launched my first voluntary artistic action.
 VotR:
You do a lot of artwork showing the plight of the native Mexicans
and the corruptness of the Mexican government. What attracts
you to the Zapatista movement?
CL: They are a people
whom refuse to keep their heads down. It's inspirational.
VotR:
What type of opposition from the authorities, whether in your
homeland of Brazil, or anywhere else, have you experienced?
CL:
I faced many kinds of. I was arrested twice for cartoons and
graffitis on police brutality. Few of my cartoons were censored
in some trade union papers. When you decide not to follow the
System, expect for every kind of censorship.
VotR:
Despite the opposition, what inspires you to carry on producing
dozens or cartoons?
CL: Thirst of justice. If I have
my art as a powerful weapon, I can't see people being oppressed
in Chiapas, Burma or Palestine without shooting.
 VotR:
You have drawn cartoons that show both pro-China (kicking Mickey
Mouse) and anti-China (the 'We Are All Palestinian' cartoon
showing oppression of the Tibetans). What are you opinions on
the government and future of China?
CL: I would not
to label that Mickey's cartoon as "pro-China". It's
more about a cultural resistance against U.S. propamedia. It
could be in Europe or Latin America. That cartoon was broaching
specifically the new Disneyland amusement park in China. I don't
support imperialist nations. I don't support governments. China
is not a standard for me, as well as United States or England.
VotR:
What is your opinion on Cuba, in particular Castro's stand against
American imperialism?
CL: I am not in love with
Castro. Seems a bit too dictatorial for me. However, if Cuba is now
a more decent and respectful nation than in the days of U.S.
backed Batista, it's because of the revolution started by Castro.
I don't like Castro, but he deserves all my respect for everything
he is doing for Cuba.
VotR:
Politically and artistically, who do you look up to, who are
your idols?
CL: No idols. Some artistic references,
but no idols. Mad magazine...DC comics...Marvel...Japanese mangas...all
that shit. After all, I rejected it and launch a more personal
style.
 VotR:
Conversely, who do you hate and despise politically and artistically?
CL:
Reactionary mostly. Conservative. They are behind the wars,
dirty business... Prejudices are fed by them. I reject commercial
"art". In my point of view, advertising is the art
of deception. Companies produce poison, put some colours on it
and sell as candies.
VotR:
Which is your favourite piece of your artwork, and why?
CL:
Hard question...perhaps the last cartoon series "We
are all Palestinians". Because it involved a lot of my
energies and I believe it's straight to the point.
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Provincial
Constitution
The
National People’s Congress has voted overwhelmingly in favour
of adopting a new provincial constitution for Varja. The document
lays out the new system of local government and defines the
areas under the control of Ciudad de Howard (defence, economic
and foreign affairs). It also makes clear that national laws
take precedence over local ones.
Full text:
ARTICLE I
Varja
is a province of the Republic of Baracao and acknoledges it's
control over Varja's foreign affairs, economy and major military
affairs. If Varjan and Baracaon laws contradict each other,
Baracaon laws take preference.
ARTICLE II
The
Governor of Varja is elected monthly by the local National Communist
Party (NCP) chapter. He is resposible for the province's internal
dealings.
ARTICLE III
The
Governor appoints Varja's NCP Party Organizer, who acts as a
deputy-Governor and leader of the local NCP chapter. The Governor
also appoints Varja's Chief of Police who organizes the province's
local militia.
ARTICLE IV
All
members of the local NCP chapter may propose and vote on decrees.
The Governor holds a veto over all decrees.
The approval
of the constitution marks the completion of Varjas entry into
Baracão as an autonomous province.
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In
Congress This Week
The
following were under debate in Congress this week,
Baracão
- Menelmacar Dual Citizenship
Revised
Constitution
Citizenship
and Loyalty Act
Proposed
Varjan Provincal Constitution
Legislative
Timing Act
Decree
to change of name of the Ministry of the Exterior
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Baracão
Sees The Lighthouse
The
Skerry Isles, a Palatinate of the United Baronies of Treesia
and Fabon, this week sees Baracãoans on its soil. The capital
city of the group of islands, Lighthouse, is to be leased to
the Republic by the Baronies for a period of one year. Whilst
the plans have not been finalised, the current Baron-Tywysog,
Friedel, supports the lease, as it will lead to activity and
will help the Skerry Isles prosper. The city, based around an
ancient Lighthouse, will become the headquarters of Baracãoan
Foreign Interests, a State operated company which promotes the
Republic in the microworld. Already many Baracãoan citizens
have taken up residence in the city. Existing citizens seemed
pleased, and the border around the territory will remain open.
The Baron-Tywysog and the head of BFI, Dafydd Young, have modernised
the old Skerry
Isles EzBoard to take this into account. Already the two
have crossed the provisional border, from Lighthouse to the
new capital, Caer Tywysog, to enjoy dinner parties and other
gatherings.
Terrorist
Attacks Menelmacar
On
Sunday evening an unknown individual launched an ‘attack’ on
the Imperium of Menelmacar. From what we can gather several
topics appeared containing a word such as ‘Surrender’ and a
piece of pornography. Immediately they were deleted and hysterical
citizens called it an attack. Then the finger pointing started.
The attack seemed similar to that in Tymaria a short while ago
and the users name was very similar (note: similar, not the
same). With no apparent evidence Menelmacar blamed Bobby and
Baracão and demanded the IP’s of Bobby, Eldorni and Locke. Baracão
refused stating it would breach the Ezboard terms of service
and that it wouldn’t just betray its citizens if there were
no evidence. When Baracão demanded evidence again Menelmacar
quickly retracted its request.
Hysteria,
paranoia and general overreacting carried on in Menelmacar.
The government cracked down and put its forums on membership
by approval (giving them the power to deny those they disagree
with a voice we might add). Bobby was banned from their forums,
despite still having no evidence it was him. And to top it all
off derogatory comments were made about Baracão and its citizens.
Despite
our officials having proved that the ‘fag bomb’ wasn’t involved
and that Bobby wasn’t responsible, the accusations haven’t quite
been dropped. Our opinion? Either it was a rogue individual
attempting to provoke a reaction or something along the lines
of the burning of the Reichstag.
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Menelmacar
Plots?
The
Imperium of Menelmacar, born from dissidents after the Varjan
revolution and since then having experienced an influx of Apolloists
and Apolloist culture, ran out of its EzBoard trial Gold status
on Sunday. Under Gold status, an administrator can create an
'invisible' forum, that is, a forum which cannot be seen to
exist by those that do not have access to it. However, with
losing Gold, these fora become visible to all. In the case of
the Imperium, one forum of interest became viewable. The
Operation: Revival Forum was noticed at the bottom of the
Military category. This would probably not even make the news,
except for the fact that the Imperial government was foolish
enough to describe what went on in that forum. 'Discussion
of the Hubert Doctrine, and the enforcement thereof.' reads
the note underneath the forum name. This is a direct reference
to removing Thomas Hubert, also known as ElDorni, the Minister
of Foreign Affairs in the Republic of Baracão, from the micronational
world. At the time of the forum being revealed, it contained
61 posts, more than the sum of the other posts in that category
at the time. Bill3000,
the Minister of Culture in Menelmacar, gave the quasi-official
view of the Imperium on the matter: 'I don't see anything wrong
with it, Hubert, You need to be gettin' rid of.' The Public
Security Bureau pointed on that it takes any threats against
its Ministers seriously. Minister Young, head of the PSB, the
highly equipped police force of the Republic, also notes
that 'should any ousting, successful or attempted, take
place, then it will be met with extreme and unrestrainted force
on behalf of the Bureau'.
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Towing
the (non) Party Line
“We
are going to crush internal dissent” – so declared a senior
government official of the Empire. While at first such a statement
might seem bold and slightly dictatorial, further inspection
of Menelmacars forums reveals that it is simply routine government
policy. More and more frequently authoritarian measures have
been employed and propaganda churned out to ensure that disagreeing
with policy is not an option. At the core of this trend lays
the excuse of ‘Apolloism’. This undefined philosophy has provided
a perfect argument against anybody who doesn’t do as they are
told.
The only
resistance to the rightist currents in the nation, the Menelmacari
Leftist Alliance, is in danger of being outlawed. The excuse
for this? “We have a different culture than other nations, and
that is to have no political parties.” The fact that the members
of the alliance should also have a say in what the ‘culture’
of the nation is seems to have been forgotten. Indeed, not only
is the enforced philosophy of ‘Apolloism’ undefined but also
understood only by an elite who are then able to lecture on
what it involves when it suits their needs. Apparently political
parties are not ‘Apollonian’…what further argument is needed
to outlaw them?
Having openly
banned Communism and the Communist party in its constitution,
Menelmacar started how it meant to go on. Under the banner of
‘Apolloism’, the opposition may soon be illegal and the last
traces of resistance eliminated.
And what
message to anybody who disagrees?
“you are
new at being in an Apollonian nation, all of you, and you have
to get used to our philosiphy.”
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Imperialist
of the World, Unite!
The
fascist sympathisers in Cranda have proposed an alliance with
the rightist nation of Menelmacar. In proposing it the Crandans
boasted about strengthening their armed forces and specifically
mentioned Baracão. This alliance, should it be formalised, will
represent a threat to free peoples everywhere. The government
of Menelmacar has not yet replied to the offer but will no doubt
consider it if it strengthens their power to expand. Free socialist
nations cannot exist peacefully besides fascists and imperialists
and the Baracãoan government is watching carefully.
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