by Sir Henry Morgan » Fri Sep 21, 2018 3:12 pm
To me faithful adversary, Shadowood, and all of his friends;
I have corresponded with folks in Kirbati, Isle of Man and Tokelau concerning port control of Baramas. I step back and look at the big picture and thru me bloodshot eyes and hung over brain came conclusion:
1) Kirbati was abandoning Baramas.
2) Isle of Man had varied reasons - right, wrong, indifferent - to stake a claim to Baramas,
3) Tokelau had an even wider range of reasons - right, wrong, indifferent - why they didn't and should prevent it, thus claim it for herself.
4) The King of Kirbati left to join Isle of Man, the Governor for Kirbati in Baramas left to join Tokelau.
5) As a side note, Isle if Man and the UK were the only two nations to decline to sign peace treaties with "the neutral, peaceful banking nation of Tokelau. Not that it matters, as it doesn't - they only signed treaties with each other, for whatever the true value of of those treaties be other than politicking. Teuth is, they did not wish to indicate they desired peaceful relationships with Tokelau.
Bottom line: both nations have tried to sell the other on merits as to why their positions be right. Arguing, name calling and saber rattling didn't settle the issue.
The fact be Baramas - and all ports - be open ports. Truth is ye don't own a port, ye control it - can't be bought or sold. You are "permitted" to control it by others who don't want it and don't mind ye havin' it.
We be at an impass that now be decided by who has the most influence at the end of the day, which may be niether Tokelau nor the Isle of Man.
Sad part be it be fought with gold coin and voodoo rather than ships, but I digress...
As for peaceful nation, that be an ideal - doesn't mean passive. We strive to defend and maintain our interests just as any other port nation would do, even at the risk of losing it all.
Me hangover be gettin' the better of me - best go find a dram to cure this sobriety.