Day Five: things were slowly returning to some semblance of normalcy even though rescue operations were still going on throughout the country. While most of the major media outlets had been virtually paralyzed, news was being broadcast over the thousands of local TV and radio stations still in business. It was mostly all local and/or regional reporting, however, since there were no longer any network feeds. Most daily newspapers now printed not much more than local editions. The Gannett Co., Inc. - America's largest newspaper publishing company - had been the target of multiple bombing strikes. Its McLean, Virginia headquarters was totally demolished; its "back-up" operations in suburban Maryland was supposed to allow the corporate giant to continue functioning in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. O.U.T.R.A.G.E. had also destroyed that facility which was housed in a non-descript building hardly anyone knew about. USA TODAY, the company's flagship national daily newspaper, now only existed as a group of small field offices around the country. Gannett had just acquired its 100th daily newspaper in the U.S.A. Now, most of those newspapers were functioning like they had a hundred years ago: this newly-found 'independence' was quickly allowing for more diversified news coverage and more objective reporting. Instead of publishers having to accept what 'corporate' wanted it to publish, they suddenly enjoyed an autonomy that few of them were old enough to ever remember.
Gannett owned more than a thousand non-daily publications, dozens of radio and TV stations, and countless other media outlets all over the world. Overnight, as the result of multiple bombings all over the United States, managers of these outlets found their dependence on corporate-dictated policies to be severed.
Some publishers and editors were completely lost without corporate orders. Other publishers and editors were beginning to thrive on this new-found independence. Some newspapers were writing op-ed pieces chastizing O.U.T.R.A.G.E. for what it had done to the country, while others promoted this tragic event as necessary for a common good, and enthusastically urged readers to at least give O.U.T.R.A.G.E. the benefit of the doubt.
The large hall which was being used to broadcast these public forums was suddenly overflowing with people. Hundreds and hundreds of people who had played a hand in the devastation were regrouping at these teleconferences. There was a growing carmaraderie as these people seemed to feel a need to reveal themselves and let the American public know that, yes, they had participated in what was certainly the most widespread force of destruction and nation-wide devastation Americans had ever experienced. This wasn't just an isolated incident like Hurricane Katrina had been three years ago. This wasn't a mining disaster like the one that devastated a small West Virginia community in 2006. To use the banality of a movie trailer's cliche', this was truly a disaster of epic proportions. Hundreds of thousands of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. participants had killed hundreds of thousands of other American citizens, mostly those who were politically-connected, independently wealthy, heads of large corporations, celebrities, or otherwise characterized as rich or powerful or influential. Because the bombings all took place at the very beginning of the President's State of the Union address, it was easily assumed that many of these kinds of individuals would be watching; it was just as easy to expect that these kinds of individuals would be vulnerable at that precise moment in time.
Using a network of crumbling infrastructures, unguarded public facilities, and a simple series of interactive cell phones, members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. easily assembled all the components necessary to wreak such total destruction on America. These small bombs were, indeed, incendiary weapons of mass destruction, capable of blowing up an isolated building, a private home, or a government structure. Each bomb had been equipped to effectively destroy its specific target. Yes, tens of thousands of other citizens were also among the dead, but as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld had once said when asked about the innocent victims of war, "Stuff Happens". Now, Rumsfeld's insipidly inane two little words had come to haunt this poor excuse for a human being as he and his family were now victims of such "stuff" that "happens".
Viewers of the teleconference today listened as dozens of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. people spoke. The conversations sometimes were reminiscent of those "talking heads" from Fox News and CNN whose only real accomplishments were measured in decibels.
At other times, you might see someone crying, or shaking their head as they spoke, seemingly unaware of the camera and visually, verbally questioning whether what they did was necessary or just. Almost always, someone else involved in the conversation would come to a rescue and console that person with words of comfort and reassurance. "It had to be done," one middle-aged man told his compatriot, "it was the only way."
Finally, a young, svelte Asian woman came forward and introduced herself as Leah from Washington, D.C.. "I would like to introduce today's resolution," she said in a confident, professional voice. "There is a poison that has spread throughout my hometown. It has taken over K Street, to such an extent that Karl Rove spearheaded a program he once called the K Street Project. I'm talking about lobbyists, so-called 'associations' that want to buy government influence, and other special interest groups whose sole purpose is to get legislation passed that favors their industries. These people are nothing more than human cockroaches that have infested Washington, and our proposal is straight-forward."
ARTICLE V. RESOLUTION: ELIMINATE ALL LOBBYISTS, SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS AND GOVERNMENT CONSULTANTS
"K Street is lined with austere offices that house consultancy firms and organizations whose sinister motives are cloaked in what appears to be the public interest. In most cases, these trade associations, consultants and special interest groups have only one purpose inside the beltway: influence favorable legislation. Access to members of Congress has become big business, and corporations pay dearly for such access. The scandals from 2005 and 2006 were proof of how powerful and out-of-control these activities have become. Our proposal is that all of these groups be given NO access to members of Congress except within the confines of a public forum. Members of Congress who accept free trips, gifts, money, or favors in return for private access will be prosecuted as traitors and tried for high treason. If they are convicted, they will face a public firing squad. Those who participate in such activities will also be charged with treason and will suffer the same consequences. While it is certainly permissible for corporations to argue their case for legislation they deem necessary, it is just as permissible for the general public to know precisely the purpose behind such argument. The citizenry should have every right to support or oppose such proposed legislation with full knowledge and consent. If we will remember, our U.S. Constitution begins, 'We the People...." NOT 'We the wealthy individuals...', NOT 'We the special interest groups.... ", NOT 'We the lobbyists...', and certainly NOT 'We the corporations....". It is time to end this political whoring. Congress should NOT be for sale to the highest bidder.
If you agree, or if you disagree, it is important that you use the portable voting devices available to record your vote now. As before, this is a popular vote that will be followed by a committee of common citizens who will actually write the legislation and put it to a final public vote prior to it becoming part of the law of our land. Your participation is not only invited and encouraged, it is necessary if we are to begin rebuilding our great country into an even greater country that will be governed of the people, for the people, and by the people. No longer will our elected officials serve without representing the entire populace. O.U.T.R.A.G.E. will become the catalyst for reform, wherein 'the People' will rule by interactive forums such as you're viewing right now. Then a duly-elected house of representatives will tend to the appropriate business at hand, as mandated by the citizenry instead of the citizenry being excluded from the political process. Thank you."
As Leah backed away from the camera, the red glare of the LED display once again showed the results of yesterday's vote:
ARTICLE IV. RESOLUTION: NATIONALIZE THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SO THAT EVERYONE GETS GOOD MEDICAL CARE.
TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES CAST; 768,849
NUMBER OF "YEA" VOTES: 607,390
NUMBER OF "NAY" VOTES: 161,459
Lime green O.U.T.R.A.G.E. buttons on lapels could be seen all over the room. It was beginning to look like a typical political convention. Yet, no one could quite figure out where, exactly, this meeting was physically taking place. Camera shots were carefully restricted to the crowds and individuals. No distinguishing characteristics or signage was within camera range; government authorities were stymied as they tried to determine from where this activity was being televised. For all they knew, it could be taking place anywhere in the world. As quickly as always, once the resolution was proposed, the camera faded to black with a two-line reminder: tomorrow's meeting scheduled for 4:55 P.M. EST.
News outlets were beginning to report rumors that the Vice-President's mangled body had been recovered from the wreckage of the Capitol Building; it has been buried in massive amounts of rubble, covered by the giant U.S. flag that hung behind the podium where the President had started to deliver his State of the Union address. When the President's body had been pulled from the rubble, it was lying atop the flag. Rescuers did not realize until days later that another body was buried underneath the same flag; they assumed it was just more rubble.
Gannett owned more than a thousand non-daily publications, dozens of radio and TV stations, and countless other media outlets all over the world. Overnight, as the result of multiple bombings all over the United States, managers of these outlets found their dependence on corporate-dictated policies to be severed.
Some publishers and editors were completely lost without corporate orders. Other publishers and editors were beginning to thrive on this new-found independence. Some newspapers were writing op-ed pieces chastizing O.U.T.R.A.G.E. for what it had done to the country, while others promoted this tragic event as necessary for a common good, and enthusastically urged readers to at least give O.U.T.R.A.G.E. the benefit of the doubt.
The large hall which was being used to broadcast these public forums was suddenly overflowing with people. Hundreds and hundreds of people who had played a hand in the devastation were regrouping at these teleconferences. There was a growing carmaraderie as these people seemed to feel a need to reveal themselves and let the American public know that, yes, they had participated in what was certainly the most widespread force of destruction and nation-wide devastation Americans had ever experienced. This wasn't just an isolated incident like Hurricane Katrina had been three years ago. This wasn't a mining disaster like the one that devastated a small West Virginia community in 2006. To use the banality of a movie trailer's cliche', this was truly a disaster of epic proportions. Hundreds of thousands of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. participants had killed hundreds of thousands of other American citizens, mostly those who were politically-connected, independently wealthy, heads of large corporations, celebrities, or otherwise characterized as rich or powerful or influential. Because the bombings all took place at the very beginning of the President's State of the Union address, it was easily assumed that many of these kinds of individuals would be watching; it was just as easy to expect that these kinds of individuals would be vulnerable at that precise moment in time.
Using a network of crumbling infrastructures, unguarded public facilities, and a simple series of interactive cell phones, members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. easily assembled all the components necessary to wreak such total destruction on America. These small bombs were, indeed, incendiary weapons of mass destruction, capable of blowing up an isolated building, a private home, or a government structure. Each bomb had been equipped to effectively destroy its specific target. Yes, tens of thousands of other citizens were also among the dead, but as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld had once said when asked about the innocent victims of war, "Stuff Happens". Now, Rumsfeld's insipidly inane two little words had come to haunt this poor excuse for a human being as he and his family were now victims of such "stuff" that "happens".
Viewers of the teleconference today listened as dozens of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. people spoke. The conversations sometimes were reminiscent of those "talking heads" from Fox News and CNN whose only real accomplishments were measured in decibels.
At other times, you might see someone crying, or shaking their head as they spoke, seemingly unaware of the camera and visually, verbally questioning whether what they did was necessary or just. Almost always, someone else involved in the conversation would come to a rescue and console that person with words of comfort and reassurance. "It had to be done," one middle-aged man told his compatriot, "it was the only way."
Finally, a young, svelte Asian woman came forward and introduced herself as Leah from Washington, D.C.. "I would like to introduce today's resolution," she said in a confident, professional voice. "There is a poison that has spread throughout my hometown. It has taken over K Street, to such an extent that Karl Rove spearheaded a program he once called the K Street Project. I'm talking about lobbyists, so-called 'associations' that want to buy government influence, and other special interest groups whose sole purpose is to get legislation passed that favors their industries. These people are nothing more than human cockroaches that have infested Washington, and our proposal is straight-forward."
ARTICLE V. RESOLUTION: ELIMINATE ALL LOBBYISTS, SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS AND GOVERNMENT CONSULTANTS
"K Street is lined with austere offices that house consultancy firms and organizations whose sinister motives are cloaked in what appears to be the public interest. In most cases, these trade associations, consultants and special interest groups have only one purpose inside the beltway: influence favorable legislation. Access to members of Congress has become big business, and corporations pay dearly for such access. The scandals from 2005 and 2006 were proof of how powerful and out-of-control these activities have become. Our proposal is that all of these groups be given NO access to members of Congress except within the confines of a public forum. Members of Congress who accept free trips, gifts, money, or favors in return for private access will be prosecuted as traitors and tried for high treason. If they are convicted, they will face a public firing squad. Those who participate in such activities will also be charged with treason and will suffer the same consequences. While it is certainly permissible for corporations to argue their case for legislation they deem necessary, it is just as permissible for the general public to know precisely the purpose behind such argument. The citizenry should have every right to support or oppose such proposed legislation with full knowledge and consent. If we will remember, our U.S. Constitution begins, 'We the People...." NOT 'We the wealthy individuals...', NOT 'We the special interest groups.... ", NOT 'We the lobbyists...', and certainly NOT 'We the corporations....". It is time to end this political whoring. Congress should NOT be for sale to the highest bidder.
If you agree, or if you disagree, it is important that you use the portable voting devices available to record your vote now. As before, this is a popular vote that will be followed by a committee of common citizens who will actually write the legislation and put it to a final public vote prior to it becoming part of the law of our land. Your participation is not only invited and encouraged, it is necessary if we are to begin rebuilding our great country into an even greater country that will be governed of the people, for the people, and by the people. No longer will our elected officials serve without representing the entire populace. O.U.T.R.A.G.E. will become the catalyst for reform, wherein 'the People' will rule by interactive forums such as you're viewing right now. Then a duly-elected house of representatives will tend to the appropriate business at hand, as mandated by the citizenry instead of the citizenry being excluded from the political process. Thank you."
As Leah backed away from the camera, the red glare of the LED display once again showed the results of yesterday's vote:
ARTICLE IV. RESOLUTION: NATIONALIZE THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SO THAT EVERYONE GETS GOOD MEDICAL CARE.
TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES CAST; 768,849
NUMBER OF "YEA" VOTES: 607,390
NUMBER OF "NAY" VOTES: 161,459
Lime green O.U.T.R.A.G.E. buttons on lapels could be seen all over the room. It was beginning to look like a typical political convention. Yet, no one could quite figure out where, exactly, this meeting was physically taking place. Camera shots were carefully restricted to the crowds and individuals. No distinguishing characteristics or signage was within camera range; government authorities were stymied as they tried to determine from where this activity was being televised. For all they knew, it could be taking place anywhere in the world. As quickly as always, once the resolution was proposed, the camera faded to black with a two-line reminder: tomorrow's meeting scheduled for 4:55 P.M. EST.
News outlets were beginning to report rumors that the Vice-President's mangled body had been recovered from the wreckage of the Capitol Building; it has been buried in massive amounts of rubble, covered by the giant U.S. flag that hung behind the podium where the President had started to deliver his State of the Union address. When the President's body had been pulled from the rubble, it was lying atop the flag. Rescuers did not realize until days later that another body was buried underneath the same flag; they assumed it was just more rubble.
posted by Bushwacker! at 7:25 AM
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