Articles of Confederation

for the

Lemite Autonomous Region

WE LEMITES in our many Burrows have always banded together in loose Confederation to share meager Resources, throw the occasional Party, and to Ensure Our Mutual Protection from the Elements, such as Predators and Attorneys.

For many Years, the forces of Avarice, Banality and Mindlessness swept over Known Space. The Horrors of Nuclear Bombardment almost consigned Our People to Extinction.

Now Light, Reason and Common Sense have returned. The time has come to Form a New Confederation to guard the Inalienable Rights of the Lemite People. These Articles define the Lemite Autonomous Region.

The Lemite Autonomous Region Government will consist of three branches: Executive, Parlimentary, and Judicial, plus an Advisory Body.

1. The Executive, called the Head Squek, performs ceremonial duties, enacts and enforces laws, directs daily operations of Government, and maintains foreign relations. The Head Squek has power to make treaties, appoint ambassadors, and grant reprieves and pardons except in cases of impeachment.

• The Head Squek serves a five-year term, with an unlimited number of terms.

• The Head Squek shall be Master of Ceremonies for the Annual Picnic, and Judge the "Wet Fur" contest.

• The Head Squek may be impeached by unanimous vote of the Burrows.

• Should the Head Squek become incapacitated, the Senior member of the Great Burrow will assume the Office. Should that member be unable to do so, the Governor of the Capitol will assume the Office,

2. The Parlimentary, called the Great Burrow, consists of one Representative from each Burrow. The Great Burrow proposes Laws to the Head Squek, advises on the Feasability and Justness of such Laws, and assists in domestic matters.

• Burrow Representatives serve for three years with an unlimited number of terms. Each Burrow decides how their Representative is selected, compensated, and recalled.

• Burrow Representatives may be censured or removed by unanimous vote of the Great Burrow.

• The Great Burrow may in dire situations cast a Vote of Confidence in the Head Squek and the Government, and thus Alter the Form of Government by procedure as described in Article Five

• The Great Burrow will meet at least Once a Year. Such Meeting will occur by Week 25, unless the Great Burrow, by oral or written motion, appoints a different Week. The Head Squek and all the Burrows must be notified of the motion by Week 25, or three weeks prior to the meeting if it is to be held before Week 25.

3. The Judical Power wil be held by the Lemite Court, and such lesser courts as established by the Head Squek. The Lemite Court reviews all Laws; decides legality of such Laws with the spirit of the Articles and other such documents of equal gravity. The Lemite Court also will judge violtaors of Lemite Laws, and assign punishments if neccessary.

• The Lemite Court consists of Nine Judges, plus two Alternates.

• Judges are appointed for Life by the Head Squek. They may only be removed under dire circumstances. The Great Burrow may recommend candidates for the Lemite Court, lesser courts and Alternate Judges.

• In Case of Impeachment of the Head Squek, the Senior Judge will preside. In all other cases of Impeachment, any Court Judge may preside.

• Impeachment is termed as the removal from office and disqualification to hold any other office or position of trust. An office-holder that is impeached is subject to additional civil and criminal trials for their transgressions.

• The Lemite Court, in a quorum of Three, may hear appeals of rulings from lesser courts. Alternates do not qualify for a quorum.

4. An Advisory Council to the Head Squek is the Burrow of Elders. The Elders advise the Head Squek on matters within the Lemite Autonomous Region.

• The Burrow of Elders will consist of one Elder from each of the twenty-seven Burrows selected by the elders of the Burrows, plus the Leader of the Twenty-Eighth Burrow.

• Elders serve for two-year terms There are no term limits.

• The Elders will select from among them a Speaker, who will head the Burrow of Elders.

The Lemite Autonomous Region will provide for a Military, a Capitol, and a System of Laws.

1. The Military will be led by the Head Squek as Commander in Chief and be known as the Militia. The Head Squek will ensure the Militia is adequately equipped, reasonably Sober, and trained for their defined missions in support of Lemite Autonomous Region policy.

• The Capitol will maintain its own defenses.

• Burrow militias are commanded by the Burrow Leaders, who will ensure they have sufficient members physically and mentally able to serve. The Lemite Autonomous Region will ensure material readiness of these militias.

• Militias will deploy under Confederate authority only in State of Emergency or upon order of the Head Squek.

2. The Lemite Autonomous Region will provide and maintain a Capitol as the seat of Government and a place for diplomatic representation. The Capitol will be headed by a Governor appointed by the Head Squek.

• The Lemite Autonomous Region will provide for the Security of the Capitol.

• The Capitol will host the Annual Lemite Picnic. The Lemite Autonomous Region will provide support for this function.

3. A System of Laws will be enacted and enforced to provide guidance for the Lemite Autonomous Region and its citizens. The process for enacting these Laws is covered under Article One.

• A "Law" is defined as any statute properly enacted under the procedures listed in Article One, and not ruled against by the Lemite Court as listed in Article One, Section 3.

• A Law may be amended as necessary by either enacting a new Law, or the Law may be repealed.

• A Copy of the Lemite Laws must be available to all beings who request them.

The Head Squek may establish other Agencies and Offices as necessary to assist in the functioning of the Lemite Autonomous Region.

• These Agencies and Offices will be established under Proclamations of Government, with the full weight and effect of Lemite Law.

The Articles of the Lemite Autonomous Region may be modified by a Seventy-Five Percent majority of the Member Burrows. The majority must be by written Vote. Such modifications will be listed under 'Amendments' .

The Form and Structure of the Government may be changed by a Seventy-Five Percenty Majority Vote by the Great Burrow. The intent vote must be made public at least thirty days in advance. Changes must be approved by written vote.

• If a Member is unable to write, a Nose Print witnessed by Three Members who can write, is acceptable.

Titles of nobility are disgusting diplays of aristocracy, not in keeping with the idea of a democratic Society. Use of titles by Lemite Autonomous Region citizens is Banned.

• Confederate citizens possessing such titles prior to these Articles may retain them, but the titles do not give them any special privileges.

• Lemite citizens that must use titles of nobility (such as colony governors) do so for formal purposes only.

All Citizens of the Lemite Autonomous Region are equally entitled to the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities regardless of wealth, age, race, sex, personal quirks, and previous citizenship in another State.

• Rights, responsibilities, and benefits are not extended to Felons convicted under Lemite Law, illegal aliens, and residents of non-Lemite colonies within the borders of the Lemite Autonomous Region.

The Lemite Autonomous Region will establish a Posted List on those who violate Lemite Law, or who have performed acts so barbaric as to violate any common laws of civilization.

• Posting shall be used as a last resort, when other means of resolution are not available or have been expended.

• Those on the Posted List are subject to use of Force, including Deadly Force.

• Posted Groups may appeal to the Head Squek for Removal or Reconsideration.

• Posted Individuals may appeal in writing to the Lemite Court for Removal or Reconsideration.

All Sentient Beings, regardless of Citizenship, shall have the right, when accused of violating the Laws of the Lemite Autonomous Region, to face their accusers at a Trial by Law.

• Trials will be conducted as swiftly as practical, in Accordance with the Law.

• Sentient Beings at trial may request Legal Counsel, act as own Counsel, or Provide their own Counsel.

All Officers of the Lemite Autonomous Region shall be nominated by the Head Squek and Approved by the Great Burrow.

Signed this Week of  20, 199

The Leaders of the Twenty-Seven Burrows

The Representative for the Twenty-Eighth Burrow

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