An audience with King Adam Hemmings, a second-year political science and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations double major, begins with a firm handshake. Hemmings is perfectly polished, from his trimmed nails to the crisp lines of his suit. Every detail hints at how seriously he takes representing his state, which he is eager to discuss."I was talking with some of my good friends in England, where I'm originally from, and in 2005 we all started to question what a country really was," Hemmings said of his decision to form a new nation. "We decided, okay, let's start an experiment. Let's try to found a nation in England."
On June 4, 2005, Hemmings issued a declaration of independence. He founded Kemetia, a secessionist state operating on the terms of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States: a permanent population, a defined territory, and a government with the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
170 voting citizens, 32 of whom attend the University of Chicago, populate Hemmings' state. Kemetia comprises various parts of the South of England, including Winchester. Its government is a constitutional monarchy that transformed Hemmings into King Adam. It's not just a figment of Hemmings' imagination: Jordan, Syria, Taiwan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo all recognize Kemetia, according to Hemmings.
Whom shall we nominate as Lord Protector of the Chesterbelloc Republic? My vote is for Zippy.
Comments (6)
I declare war.
Posted by Joe Marier | March 15, 2010 7:01 AM
Mentioning Lords Protector in regards to a monarchy---or any peaceable nation, for that matter---shouldn't be a joking matter. I certainly wouldn't want to hold an office founded by a murdering heretic.
Posted by Paul | March 15, 2010 9:23 AM
I think Kemetia should try telling its citizens they have the right to keep and bear arms and see what the government of the England they have seceded from would say to that.
Posted by Lydia | March 15, 2010 9:35 AM
I would eagerly seek Chesterbelloc citizenship, if it didn't mean I'd lose my security clearance, and hence my job. I'm a wage slave!
Posted by Gary Keith Chesterton | March 15, 2010 4:21 PM
If Zippy refuses to serve, perhaps J.R.R. Tolkien might be persuaded to return from the dead to fill this essential post.
Posted by steve burton | March 15, 2010 4:27 PM
Unless you can print your own currency, it doesn't really count as a country. I will be happy to purchase any Zip-a-dee-doo-dollars as collector's items.
Posted by Step2 | March 15, 2010 9:05 PM