In all the hubbub of yesterday's spectacular announcement by Colin Powell, little notice was made of the fact that February 18, 2008 happened to be Presidents' Day. What more appropriate time to introduce a resolution to elect Powell as interim President until official elections could take place. As Tuesday's meeting opened at 4:55 P.M. EST crowds were still enthused by the news. The first thing the cameras focused on, for viewers across the nation to see, was the readerboard with results of yesterday's record vote:
ARTICLE XXII. RESOLUTION: ELECT COLIN POWELL AS INTERIM PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES CAST; 2,000,011
NUMBER OF "YEA" VOTES: 1,980,001
NUMBER OF "NAY" VOTES: 20,010
Two things were significant about this vote. First, it was the largest voter turn-out since these events had started. Secondly, an astonishing 99% of ballots cast were in the affirmative. Colin Powell had obviously been a well-respected and admired leader; there could not have been a better candidate for O.U.T.R.A.G.E. to put before the people. Surely it boosted the integrity of this 'outlaw' group of renegades who had systematically killed most of America's elite. Surely, it also was evidence that people were beginning to come together in an effort to return to peace and national unity.
More than two million people had attended yesterday's telecasts. Word was being received via e-mail that some of the sites were beginning to burst at the seams, unable to accommodate more people. Some sites were being relocated, from libraries or community centers to larger facilities such as gymnasiums, theaters, or convention halls. Surprisingly little technical apparatus was required for these relocations; the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. organization had used the most efficient technologies of the world's most sophisticated products to make these telecasts easy and 'portable'.
Most candidates running as possible Presidential candidates were dead, just as the fires of the political season were being stoked. This was February, 2008. In a few months the Democrats and Republicans would hold their national conventions and a slate of candidates would be chosen to run in the fall elections. O.U.T.R.A.G.E. had already reached out to both national party headquarters, strongly urging survivors to reconsider their options. It was made clear that politics would no longer be "business as usual" inside the beltway; this "Rebellion of '08" was a movement of the people, for the people, and by the people. Behind-closed-door deals with lobbyists, special interest groups, and big business would not be tolerated.
In America's recent past, the nation had endured a "teflon President" (Ronald Reagan) and "Slick Willy" (Bill Clinton), both of whom were popular with the populace, but - behind closed doors - were ruthless, vile leaders who did truly evil things to prop up their images and keep a firm hold on their power. George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush were not as popular, but relied on the grubbiness of politics, self-centered interests of the moneyed and influential, and the sheer heavy-handedness of power to maintain their grip on the White House and proliferate their family dynasty. Now, for the first time in generations, Americans had an opportunity to reconstruct the political system; one that was built on the principles of honor, ethics, morality, patriotism, and dedication to the people.
Enthusiasm ran rampant throughout the huge hall as O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members proudly displayed their lime-green badges and sported a new "Powell for President" button on their collars and lapels. It was the closest thing to unbridled merriment that has transpired since that awful day of Thursday, January 17, 2008 when so many U.S. citizens were targeted for death.
The festivities were still subdued. Viewers didn't see the unruly and uninhibited behaviors so often displayed during national Democratic and Republican political conventions (you just knew most of those delegates were there to party, drink, and get laid; the sober business of electing candidates was secondary to the party atmosphere that always invaded such events). The O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members were still dealing with the emotions and realities of what they had 'accomplished'. Some were still questioning whether it had been the right thing to do; others confidently and proudly believed it was the ONLY thing to do.
No resolutions were introduced today. The telecast continued until about 7:00 p.m. Then the familiar two-line message appeared, announcing the scheduled meeting for tomorrow. Then TV screens all over America in selected sites where millions of people watched - faded to black. Tomorrow would be another day.
ARTICLE XXII. RESOLUTION: ELECT COLIN POWELL AS INTERIM PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES CAST; 2,000,011
NUMBER OF "YEA" VOTES: 1,980,001
NUMBER OF "NAY" VOTES: 20,010
Two things were significant about this vote. First, it was the largest voter turn-out since these events had started. Secondly, an astonishing 99% of ballots cast were in the affirmative. Colin Powell had obviously been a well-respected and admired leader; there could not have been a better candidate for O.U.T.R.A.G.E. to put before the people. Surely it boosted the integrity of this 'outlaw' group of renegades who had systematically killed most of America's elite. Surely, it also was evidence that people were beginning to come together in an effort to return to peace and national unity.
More than two million people had attended yesterday's telecasts. Word was being received via e-mail that some of the sites were beginning to burst at the seams, unable to accommodate more people. Some sites were being relocated, from libraries or community centers to larger facilities such as gymnasiums, theaters, or convention halls. Surprisingly little technical apparatus was required for these relocations; the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. organization had used the most efficient technologies of the world's most sophisticated products to make these telecasts easy and 'portable'.
Most candidates running as possible Presidential candidates were dead, just as the fires of the political season were being stoked. This was February, 2008. In a few months the Democrats and Republicans would hold their national conventions and a slate of candidates would be chosen to run in the fall elections. O.U.T.R.A.G.E. had already reached out to both national party headquarters, strongly urging survivors to reconsider their options. It was made clear that politics would no longer be "business as usual" inside the beltway; this "Rebellion of '08" was a movement of the people, for the people, and by the people. Behind-closed-door deals with lobbyists, special interest groups, and big business would not be tolerated.
In America's recent past, the nation had endured a "teflon President" (Ronald Reagan) and "Slick Willy" (Bill Clinton), both of whom were popular with the populace, but - behind closed doors - were ruthless, vile leaders who did truly evil things to prop up their images and keep a firm hold on their power. George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush were not as popular, but relied on the grubbiness of politics, self-centered interests of the moneyed and influential, and the sheer heavy-handedness of power to maintain their grip on the White House and proliferate their family dynasty. Now, for the first time in generations, Americans had an opportunity to reconstruct the political system; one that was built on the principles of honor, ethics, morality, patriotism, and dedication to the people.
Enthusiasm ran rampant throughout the huge hall as O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members proudly displayed their lime-green badges and sported a new "Powell for President" button on their collars and lapels. It was the closest thing to unbridled merriment that has transpired since that awful day of Thursday, January 17, 2008 when so many U.S. citizens were targeted for death.
The festivities were still subdued. Viewers didn't see the unruly and uninhibited behaviors so often displayed during national Democratic and Republican political conventions (you just knew most of those delegates were there to party, drink, and get laid; the sober business of electing candidates was secondary to the party atmosphere that always invaded such events). The O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members were still dealing with the emotions and realities of what they had 'accomplished'. Some were still questioning whether it had been the right thing to do; others confidently and proudly believed it was the ONLY thing to do.
No resolutions were introduced today. The telecast continued until about 7:00 p.m. Then the familiar two-line message appeared, announcing the scheduled meeting for tomorrow. Then TV screens all over America in selected sites where millions of people watched - faded to black. Tomorrow would be another day.
posted by Bushwacker! at 7:27 AM
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