Long Live Sealand!
The nation of Sealand was validated tonight in the White County International Court of Justice.
We had a mock trial for Dr. Elrod’s International Law class at the White County courthouse. Both the prosecution and the defense called several witnesses to testify as to whether the Principality of Sealand was a state or not.
Sealand is a self-proclaimed independent state located on a small anti-aircraft platform approximately seven miles off the coast of the United Kingdom. Prince Paddy Roy Bates claimed this platform in 1967 after it was abandoned by the British Navy, and declared it to be a sovereign territory.
This is the kind of thing that everybody dreams about, at least for a few seconds of their life. There are depictions of similar situations on shows like Family Guy (Petoria). Paddy Roy Bates lived the dream, and became a hero for many. In spite of that, no other states in the international community recognize Sealand in any official way.
It was good to hear the verdict that we got from the jury tonight. I enjoyed acting as the lead defense attorney in this trial, and I want to thank my teammates Adrienne, Chris, David, Austin, Sarah, Shawn, and Taylor for their help and expert testimonies. The prosecution brought a good case and the whole thing was a lot of fun. Also thanks to Robin, Kyle, and Steve for judging. Thank you all very much.
As a key witness for the prosecution I naturally was against the final verdict. I was a German district judge who took the stand as a key witness in proclaiming the illegitimacies of Sealand’s purported “territory” and its alleged “nationals.” With that said, I must concede that David’s defense was remarkably well planned and executed beautifully, quelling any good points I may have made during my testimony.
I wish our prosecution would had been a bit more congruent and fluid but you can’t win ‘em all.
I still hold Sealand to be a illegitimate state, along with the rest of the world. ;)
Congrats David and team.
S.C. Denney
4 May 07 at 6:16 am
Personally, I don’t think they are a true state, but The prosecution didn’t give me clear concise standards to vote on. Steve, your definition of territory was so vague, and they start giving me all sorts of examples, like Venice, which has no land and is entirely on pylons, and they give me a clear definition. If you guys had asked “Prince” Roy if the “state” was up for sale, I probably would have convicted on the government indictment. Preponderance of the evidence. Defense gave me more.
Kyle
4 May 07 at 2:26 pm
Without defining territory as a area essentially controlled by a government, one has to be relatively general. I said that land territory makes use of segments of the earth or an enclosed part of the earth’s surface. Sealand, an artificial platform, sits atop of two concrete pillars; it by no means whatsoever makes use of any part of the surface of the earth. Can oil rigs be considered land territory and constitute a state? No…
The Venice example is completely irrelevant for is not completely sovereign, it is a principality of Italy.
Also, ex post facto law are not technically illicit in International Law.
But whatever, I was too vague, sure… what the hell was I suppose to say besides Sealand is not a state, because it is a slab of concrete which used to be an anti-aircraft platform, arbitrarily declared a state. There is not ONE other artificial state in the international community, for ALL states make use of the surface of the earth aka land territory which is a part of the earth’s surface or sitting directly thereon. Sealand can not be seen as a real state.
I wasn’t going to criticize anyone, but since I was so vague to you Kyle, thanks.
S.C. Denney
4 May 07 at 4:18 pm
I think ex post facto would fall under the “general principles” segment of international law.
Chris McNeal
4 May 07 at 6:38 pm
Have you guys seen the Family Guy with “Petoria?” It’s pretty funny. I’m pretty sure that concept has appeared in other tv shows also. Know any more?
David M Manes
4 May 07 at 7:11 pm
I have the season of Family Guy with that episode on it (season 2). It was a hilarious episode. Everyone should watch it, especially in light of your International Law mock trial.
CJ Rivenbark
5 May 07 at 12:14 am