326: dismiss. Too few options and no good one.

Apparently... this never happened. Dismissed.

==== Overview ====
Civil Rights: Excellent (69)
Economy: Good (46)
Political Freedoms: Excellent (72)

The Free Land of Gogan is a massive, socially progressive nation, ruled by Doctor Marcin with an even hand, and remarkable for its keen interest in outer space. Its compassionate, intelligent population of 2.155 billion have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent government stops and the rest of society begins, but it devotes most of its attentions to Education, with areas such as Religion & Spirituality and Defence receiving almost no funds by comparison. The average income tax rate is 55%, and even higher for the wealthy. A healthy private sector is dominated by the Book Publishing industry.

Radio shows frequently feature people denouncing religion, prime real estate is devoted to wind farms and solar energy generators, euthanasia is legal, and the government seeks peaceful forum with terrorists. Crime is totally unknown. Gogan's national animal is the Goglodyte, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its currency is the Gog.

Gogan is ranked 2,941st in The North Pacific and 74,422nd in the world for Highest Police Ratios, scoring 16 on the Orwell Orderliness Index.

==== Issues ====
21 hours ago: Following new legislation in Gogan, the government seeks peaceful forum with terrorists.
The overview has been updated following the last decisions made.

The Empire Strikes First? (issue 327)
Reports indicate that several neighbouring nations are engaged in major weapons programs in contravention of international law and treaty, focusing public discourse on Gogan's foreign policy—specifically, its position on preemptive strikes.

1. "We need to respond to these terrorist scumbags!" roars General Jazz Gutenberg, turning a slightly alarming shade of purple. "I say we announce any illegal weapons program will be treated as an act of war! The risk of harsh words turning into an endless conflict that mires our troops in far-off lands for years at a time is a small price to pay for national security! If you don't act now, these foreigners will think they can push us around forever! They must be taught a lesson, for the good of the Free Land!"

2. Diplomatic bureaucrat Johann Lopez remarks calmly, "There's no need to go off half-cocked. It would be much better if we used an appropriate international body—the World Assembly, say, or a The North Pacific tribunal—to investigate these rumours objectively for us. That way we have the international community on our side, and no one can accuse us of playing judge and jury. It will be well worth the extra diplomatic costs and bureaucratic red tape."

3. "If these countries don't respect international law, why would they respect international agencies?" wonders political analyst Britney Rikkard. "Our neighbours are acquiring these weapons for a reason: no one wants to pick a fight with a country that has weapons of mass destruction. The solution is simple: if we have WMDs of our own, they won't dare to strike at us. It may seem mad, but in this crazy world, it's the sanest thing we could do."

4. Noted pacifist and tambourine artist Jake du Pont replies, "As usual, our nation's proud leaders can only see violent solutions to our problems abroad. Wouldn't it be refreshing if they focused on achieving peace through communication and accommodation, rather than force of arms? You may call me a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."

==== Public announcement ====

327:2

327: 2

327:2

327:2 - If only the world would live as one...

327:4

What can I say? I'm a sucker for utopic scenarios.

327:2

327:2

327:2

327: 4

327:4 - utopic, but maybe we can give peas (or beans) a chance.

327:2

327:4