Inaugural Proclamation and Miscellaneous Decrees Thereunto Pertaining
The Emperor takes his leisure in Florida’s Kanapaha Highlands
To All Who Shall See These Presents, Greetings.
Know ye that at the peremptory request and desire of a large majority of the citizens of these United States, I, The Reverend Doctor Thomas L. Knapp, formerly of Missouri, and now of Florida, declare and proclaim myself Emperor of these United States, effective April 1, 2013.
In order to resolve and clarify the situation vis a vis prior pretenders to the succession, e.g. various claims to be Norton II, in the simplest manner possible, I hereby assume the imperial name Norton XIII and declare all prior claims to the imperial throne null, void, invalid or expired. Future succession issues will be dealt with in forthcoming decrees.
The existing government of the United States is hereby dissolved and its officers, legislators, appointees, employees, etc. given until April 20th, 2013 to conclude that institution’s affairs, settle its debts (which shall in no respect adhere to the new regime), and turn over any remaining assets and title to any putative properties to myself or to the emergent imperial apparatus.
I shall rule by decree, exercising plenary authority in all legislative, executive and judicial matters, from April 1, 2013 until such time as I appoint such officials and create or recognize such institutions as I may require to assist me in administration of the nation’s affairs.
The capital of these United States, previously residing in the city of San Francisco and the state of California under Norton I, is hereby relocated, effective April 1, 2013, to the Kanapaha region of the state of Florida, so as to geographically correspond to the person of the Emperor. The capital, including but not limited to the Emperor’s official residence, administrative offices and surroundings shall henceforth be known as The Court of Kanapaha.
Given under my hand this 1st day of April in the year 2013 CE,
NORTON XIII
by the Grace of God Emperor of These United States
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfgqV9eEtkw
Sources inside the Court of Kanapaha report that the Emperor has written to James Ogle, First Secretary of USA Parliament, with respect to designation of a candidate for imperial appointment as Prime Minister. For some reason, USA Parliament currently has an arithmetically improbable three PMs..
You might.
@32,
Do I have to promulgate an Anti-Jedi-Mind-Tricks decree?
I haven’t decided whether or not they’re the government I’m looking for.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7l8rWfLAus
Oh!! Thanks for the visual–I think…**scratches at eyeballs**
@28,
Well, he’s the current secretary of the 9th USA Parliament. Joy Waymire is the PM. But I haven’t decided whether or not they’re the government I’m looking for.
@29,
I am Gratia Dei the Emperor of These United States, and I can wear whatever I want, or nothing at all. For all you know, I’m naked RIGHT NOW.
Please! Just make sure this emperor wears clothes!
My expectation is that the government will be a parliamentary system subject to imperial veto.
Is James Ogle going to be involved with this parliamentary system?
Thanks!
That’s
http://norton13.us/decree-on-currency-and-taxation/
…and I see you now have a decree on sanitation as well.
RC @23,
“tk’s reign will be short.”
That depends upon how long I live.
“He will ascend to the throne and then declare nonarchy across the land.”
I’ve already ascended the throne. No nonarchy declarations yet, just a Decree on Taxation and Currency and a Decree on Sanitation. My expectation is that the government will be a parliamentary system subject to imperial veto.
“GP, however, will conduct forensic accounting research to determine whether TK’s robe and throne were paid for with stolen funds.”
No imperial robe — linen suit and pith helmet! The throne was purchased at a garage sale for ten bucks.
StW @20,
“What form of tribute or taxation will the Empire run on?”
That’s outlined in the Decree on Taxation and Currency at the web site.
Would it be more obvious if we threw in Milnes, Ogle and Imperato?
tk’s reign will be short. He will ascend to the throne and then declare nonarchy across the land. He’s toying with self-immolating after His Declaration of Universal Self Governance, but I’ve convinced Him such an act would be dysfunctional.
GP, however, will conduct forensic accounting research to determine whether TK’s robe and throne were paid for with stolen funds. 😉
LOL-Steve M oesn’t know what all those people in 16 have in common–
@16 what would be painful would be reading what the five of us agree should be published…. which of course since IPR is in dire need of well researched and verified stories would be published here first.
What form of tribute or taxation will the Empire run on?
@18,
The first ambassadorial appointments are in the works. I won’t be fleshing out foreign policy in a big way until I have some troops to review.
Emperor Norton,
Any proclamations on foreign policy?
That was funny. Thanks for the laugh.
Could they also be locked in a room with Tom Stevens, Don Grundmann, David Terry, Steve M, Mark Seidenberg …?
SM @13
While I would prefer both… to truly optimize their agony… I am going to go with platform debates at party conventions for the win.
Why not both at the same time?
So Wess on this pain and suffering bit which is more effective…. making them attend State Libertarian Party Conventions or Locking them in a room with a beginning bag pipe player?
Well then, that settles it – I’m moving to the United States!
Steve M@ 5,
There is no “currency of the realm” — per the Decree on Currency and Taxation, there are no more legal tender laws — but Bitcoin is indeed the first currency recognized as legit, and the preferred coin of (voluntary) taxation.
Ah, I see now.
P@8
See comment #3
What was your old job?
I just want my old job back 🙁
Well, Steve M and I found something we can agree on!
please make bitcoin the currency of the realm… I am tired of my pockets rattling with these silly coins.
Well, it does fit in with the anti-voting campaign….
I would like to be the first to apply for a position on the new emperor’s council.
I would like the position of “guy who makes anyone behaving in a statist manner that is competing with our emperor experience severe pain and loss until they relent or die” … whatever fancy title He could come up with for that.
See… in the spirit of the day I even spelled “gotta” wrong!
You just goota love April Fool’s Day!