The huge American flag beneath the LED sign filled the television screens as the Sunday telecast opened at - as usual - 4:55 P.M. EST. All over America, more and more people were streaming into the airports, gymnasiums, community centers and other designated sites to learn more about what was happening. Many had, by now, buried their dead and abandoned the demolished buildings, homes and offices that had been destroyed On January 17, 2008; today was February 17, 2008 - and the national psyche seemed to slowly be healing.

Local and state rescue operations were still going strong. Many state governors had attended the President's State of the Union address, and had perished. Lt. Governors, in many cases, were now directing operations. O.U.T.R.A.G.E. demolition crews had destroyed a number of Governors' mansions in states clouded by corrupted leaderships, but most states continued to operate. Local governments, surprisingly, were functioning at peak levels of performance as police, fire, and rescue units diligently worked to remove bodies from debris, tend to the injured, and clear wreckage so that cities could function as normally as might be expected under the circumstances.

Just as in the blitzkrieg bombings in Europe during World War II, people continued their daily routines and went about the business of survival. Stores and shops were still open; manufacturing plants and warehouses remained operational. People grieved in their own way. But, people still had to eat, shop, work, and sleep. Life went on even though life - as most citizens were accustomed to it - had changed dramatically, probably forever.

For the first time, a popular vote on a resolution had gone down in defeat. The neon red letters showed the results.

ARTICLE XXI. RESOLUTION: FREEDOM OF CONSENT
TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES CAST: 1,876,543
NUMBER OF "YEA" VOTES; 825,678
NUMBER OF "NAY" VOTES: 1,050,865

Colin Powell showed up at the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. 'headquarters' to provide an update on the North Korean situation. "I am pleased to report," he began, "that the takeover of the North Korean government has resulted in civil strife and chaos throughout the country. Our espionage efforts have confirmed that the insurgents have lost control, and at this time there appears to be no immediate threat to the safety or security of the United States." His somber tones gradually diminished into a remote chuckle as he continued, "It seems they have their hands full trying to maintain order within their own borders." As a postscript, Powell added, "That, by no means, means we should not remain vigilant. No one can predict the unpredictable actions of a renegade junta. For that reason, I have ordered military units across the country to remain on high alert indefinitely." Someone off-camera was trying to get Powell's attention. The infamous wrinkle of his brow, peppered with his traditionally stern military-style demeanor, seemed to sour as he turned his gaze back into the camera.

"I have been asked to speak to you about this group called O.U.T.R.A.G.E. and explain its motives as best I can. I have come to believe that this well-tuned organization means no harm, and anticipates no endangerment to the United States. While I am still appalled at what they call the 'Rebellion o '08', I believe I can ensure the American people that there are no further harmful intentions. This group, 'membership' in which I understand numbers in the hundreds of thousands, did what it did as a patriotic gesture. A second American Revolution, if you will, deliberated to inflict damage to what they purport to be the scourge of our national consciousness. They believe that the rich and powerful of this nation have been responsible for the loss of America's strong patriotic values, and have steered our nation's ship off course. They believe there is only one final solution to this problem: eliminating these individuals who would not willingly give up their wealth, power and influence for the betterment of our society. The only way to unleash the stranglehold of our corrupt social, economic and political systems was to cut it off at its base. Money is power. To take away the power, the money also had to be taken away. Over the past several decades, Americans have witnessed a diminishing interest in the needs of most 'common' citizens. O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members believe this was caused by those whose wealth, position, and influence ignored the commonality of our society and, instead, focused on the needs and best interests of those in our nation's 'upper-stratospheres' of our society. They took it upon themselves to obliterate this 'upper class' of people whom they assumed to be self-serving and dishonest. Those who were deemed to be ruthless, nefarious and villainous were randomly and capriciously eliminated without the benefit of judge or jury. What they did was wrong and inexcusable. It was an illegal, unconstitutional war against a selected segment of our free society. I find that to be irredeemable and irreconcilable; it goes against everything I believe in as a free American.

Still, what's done is done. We cannot bring these individuals back to life, nor can we allow ourselves to wallow in self-pity or remorse. That is not in the best interests of our great nation; we must deal with our collective grief, recover from the result of this malfeasance, and together move forward to ensure that such a catastrophic chain of events will never repeat itself in our country. There is no doubt that our system of government had become a diseased ogre of turpitude. I agree that there was a need to change the course of our depravity and remold America into a just, decent, moral society once again. For that reason, I have agreed to stand with the people of this organization and help bring America back to the people. I have always maintained that there are three things worthy of one's unconditional fidelity: God, country and family.

Some of the world's greatest leaders of modern times were those who steadfastly held their nations together in the eye of a world war that tore the human fabric asunder. Churchill, Roosevelt, and Truman all made gut-wrenching decisions that might have easily - and, perhaps, have - ripped their respective countries apart. America made a decision to devastate Japanese cities with bombs capable of unspeakable horrors. The men and women who participated in the activities that resulted in the deaths of myriad innocent civilians certainly lived with their actions for the rest of their lives. Members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E., and we who choose to join in their 'Rebellion o '08" must also live with our actions. It is time to rebuild. Let there be no time for further bloodshed, hatred, or prejudice. As a nation we must come together, regardless of our creed, skin color, financial circumstances, political persuasions, social positions or personal beliefs.

We are 'one nation under' God, and - under God - we must remain one nation."

Every person in the giant room rose to their feet and gave Colin Powell and resounding ten-minute standing ovation as TV viewers at selected sites across the country joined in the affirmative. Loacl TV and radio stations interrupted regular broadcasting to report on Powell's brief, yet powerful, speech. Some newspaper printed special editions with the text of the speech reprinted verbatim. It had been as if - finally - America once again had leadership.

The cameras remained focused on the OU.T.R.A.G.E. crowds for over two hours as people approached Powell with genuine appreciation and respect. Finally, the two-minute message appeared and the screens faded to black. Americans went to bed Sunday evening feeling refreshed, relieved and re-energized. Across America, a new purpose of patriotism and national unity seemed to be forging itself into the countrymen's consciousness.