People will ask those running for Parliament, "Why are you running?" And there can be many, many answers. But for me? It's because I love Asgardia. I know that's not the explanation people expect to hear, it sounds like the words of a Politician, the way one might say "I'm here to be a patriot", but please, allow me to explain.. My history with Asgardia goes back to before the first Parliament was voted in. In fact, before the Constitution was ratified. A friend told me about Asgardia, the site was a lot different back then, and I decided to look into it. And, immediately, I fell in love. Here is a place where dreams can come true. Where people who have dreams, and big ideas, have a chance to make all of that become reality. And it's in Asgardia, that I made some very good friends. My friend, Rebecca Berg, helped me get into Asgardia Civic. The "bare bones" structure of the nation that was the "seeds", as one might put it, to the nation. We worked on putting together the Constitution, putting together the very first structures that would later help put together the format which the Parliament would be voted into, to help choose what first early committees would be built. And much more. The more I worked in Civic, the more I fell in love with Asgardia as a whole. And when the time came for the first Parliament to begin, though I have to admit I was nervous to do so, my friends talked me into "throwing my hat into the ring". And by the Fates, I have to admit, I am so glad I did. It's been a lot of hard work, a lot of debating, and a few times I've had to grit my teeth to remain civil. But it's been worth it. So very worth it. Why did I become a parliamentarian? I love Asgardia. For anyone running for Parliament this year, please remember, Asgardia is a work in progress. A sapling tree that, one day, could become the giant, towering, oak that becomes the start of an entire forest. It is my hope that all of our new parliamentarians love Asgardia just as much. And, whether I get reelected or not, I look forward to seeing what the Future holds.

As I look back on these past five years in Parliament, and the last six years as Asgardia has flourished, my mind drifts back to November of 2016 when Asgardia truly began to take off. The seeds of this endeavor so carefully planted in the fertile soil of this world, to sprout and grow in strength as people came in to become the roots that would both hold up and nourish this thriving young nation, and the elegant leaves and first flowers as it blooms, the thought never fails to make me smile. Asgardia started as Asgardia Civic, and then the Constitution was fully put together and accepted, and we started our first true steps as a nation. My time within this nation has been both challenging, and exciting straight from the beginning. There were so many of us in Civic, and I have to thank everyone who worked with us, and especially Rebecca Berg who helped me choose to run for Parliament the first time. But the important thing is, we worked together, unified for one goal. To help push forward so that the elections could occur, and that we could bring in the First Parliament of Asgardia, and inaugurate our first Head of Nation. I've helped push through some security measures, and while I'm not an expert in IT the way some on the safety and security team is, the PASS system and other workings have been a joint effort. I've been trying to push through the Recruitment Committee, which may soon come to pass, and have been working with public relation efforts including booths at fairs, a reading program at the local library, contacting potentially influential partners like Gravity Industries, and many other ways to try to bring in new members. Some of my ideas are also being used, now, to help new members pay for their memberships in pieces, such as allowing a person to pay in monthly installments instead of a lump sum. And while I freely admit the things I have done with my time in Asgardia's Parliament have been small things, the effort of many small things is how something truly wonderful grows. And Asgardia is wonderful. I have to admit, I love this nation with all my heart. As I said many years ago, the first time I ran for Parliament, I'm not going to make any major promises. The thing about Promises is that they are made to be kept. They are not supposed to be made just to make people vote for you, and then immediately forgotten. A person making a promise is putting themselves, their word, and their reputation on the line. And to make a promise, knowing full well that they can't keep it? That's the same as being dishonest. But I will make this one promise. To try my absolute best to do everything I can to keep Asgardia going strong. To try my best to be honest and open with everyone, and to answer people's questions to the best of my ability. To be there for people when they need someone to lean on, and to continue to be a part of the roots that helps this nation grow. I won't always succeed. And I know there will be times where I will have disagreements with others, and sometimes those disagreements may become heated, but I will endeavor to never lose my integrity, or disgrace the trust everyone has already shown in me by voting me into Parliament the first time. And I want to tell everyone how grateful I am that you did. Truly, I thank you. As elections come up again, I only hope that people are willing to put their trust in me once more. And for any new Parliamentarians who are coming in for their first time, I give you one more promise. I will do everything I can to help you while you learn what it means to be an Asgardian Parliamentarian member. I will answer questions, and I will work with you. And I pray that we continue strongly on this path that we have chosen. Thank you.

When I first ran for Parliament, it was with some hesitancy I have to admit. I have then, and still now, believe strongly in Asgardia and all that we stand for. I was here from November 2016, and still stand admiring the beauty that this nation is becoming from the tiny seeds we planted. But yes, back then, I hesitated. I wondered if I could handle the immense responsibility of helping raise this beautiful forest that Asgardia would one day be. If I had the strength to keep going in the tough times, and there were many of them. If I would be able to resist the temptation to do what is "easy" and stand strong to do what is Right. And I found, I did. But not alone. I found people within the Parliament who stood strong as well. Despite the storms thrown at us, we persevered and continued to push forward. And the more I saw Asgardia grow, the more in love with the nation I became. And I still love Asgardia to this day. So now, I am going to run for Parliament again. There is a lot of work still to do, and I wish to continue working hard for Asgardia, and for all Asgardians. As before, I will not make any promises. Because, if I make a promise, that means I must keep it. And I cannot say, for certain, that I will be able to keep all the promises I would want to make. And so, I make no promises except one. To try my absolute best to care for this nation and continue to help Asgardia keep growing. I did say I wouldn't lie to my fellow Asgardians back then, and I say it again. If I have to keep things to myself, then I will tell you WHY I have to. Instead of making up excuses. You can ask anything of me, within reason, and I will answer, truthfully. I know this doesn't sit well with some individuals, especially when what I have to say doesn't go well with what they believe, but for that, I say, I'm sorry. But if I am going to continue to EARN the trust of those who wish to vote, and earn their votes, I HAVE to be honest. I cannot resort to lies and empty promises because that's wrong. Yes we have had some setbacks. Yes we've had some Parliamentarians resign, and we've had some fellow Asgardians leave Asgardia. I won't deny it, so yes the rumors to that account are true. But I also wish people to not be discouraged by that. Far more are staying than departing. And not everyone who leave are doing so because they don't believe in Asgardia anymore. Everyone has their reasons. I won't leave Asgardia, nor will I abandon anyone. In this time of turmoil, there needs to be an oasis. And, in all honesty, I believe Asgardia will be that Oasis. But it's up to us all to work together to make it so. And I want to help by putting my hand out to everyone around me, and work with people to take this small sapling we call Asgardia, and continue to watch it grow. That is why I'm running for Parliament again. Because I love Asgardia.

Today is my 16th wedding anniversary. And it has been quite a pleasant day. Speaking of Anniversaries, I just realize that I will have been a part of Asgardia for 6 years and I am so proud. You see, in November, 2016, I became a part of Asgardia when Civic Asgardia was still working on getting the groundwork together. Networking, getting the site together, increasing how many people knew of Asgardia, getting the graphics set up, etc. And I've loved every minute of it. That's how I met wonderfully kind people like Rebekah Berg, and others who were a part of Civic and, to this day, is still working to grow Asgardia and watch it blossom. I just wanted to say that I am proud of each and every Asgardian, and grateful to all the friends I've made. For everyone who is a part of Asgardia, even if this is your first year, or you've had many yearly anniversaries of your joining, please, tell me, how you learned of Asgardia, when did you join, and what are your hopes and dreams for Asgardia's future? I would love to hear your own views, please share?

I created a business card, a temporary one, for Asgardia and put it on FB before the FB pages closed down. Where, here, could I show it? I still have the template for the card and, once the flag and insignia are chosen, can quickly adapt the card using these icons instead of the place-holder I currently have. Where should I place this image so people can see it and suggest alterations? Would anyone like to use a business card for Asgardia? Mrs. Bridget Kielas-Fecyk

When dealing with other countries, it is always important to have ambassadors and diplomatic staff, or at least diplomats of some kind, to work with those countries on behalf of your own. These individuals should be ones who are well-spoken, hold themselves to a code of honor, treat others and themselves with respect, are intelligent and care for all of the people of their country, not just a few wealthy elites. They should be ones who understand what their country needs and how to work with others even if those others may potentially hostile, openly or otherwise, to them or the country they represent. And, above all, they should be flexible and open-minded when working with people in general. An individual in such a position must not be someone with hard-line attitudes or cut in stone views of the world. This can hinder working with others because it puts *blinders* on a person. Prevents them from entertaining thoughts from another's point of view and prevents the ability to move forward by causing a "road block" as it were, of uncompromising attitudes. With this in mind, I would like to ask how our diplomatic staff and ambassadors will be chosen. I would like to offer my own services in this field if I may. While it is minor, I do have some experience in politics and I've had to bring together groups that have, from time to time, been at odds with each other. While it was a photographer and doing video work, I did work with different political groups during my internship in college. I'm quite aware of what this kind of work entails and what it would require of an individual. I'm also very much capable of handling such a task quite effectively. What I would bring to such a spot would be intelligence, the willingness to listen to others and learn from them, but also being able to think quickly and critically of a situation. To be able to listen to all sides, all views of a subject, picking them apart to find the common theme and then use that to work with everyone equally. But, of course, this is but an offer. I remember when Asgardia was just starting out and had only a few thousand people signed up for it. I've watched it begin to grow and flourish and I'm very proud of everything that everyone has accomplished. I would love a chance to help continue that growth and ensure we are not forgotten.

Something I have been thinking of quite a lot as it is cold and flu season. While there are many dangers involved in living within a space station, the problems with being weightless, technical issues, potential crew conflicts, etc... but what about biological issues? It's been noted that bacteria do even better in space than it does here on earth, why not viruses acting the same way? What's to keep something, like the common cold for example, from quickly turning more virulent in such an enclosed environment? Honestly, this is one thing we really need to think of given our desire to travel beyond this little blue treasure we call home.