The news spread like a California wildfire: Colin Powell was going to make a statement at Thursday's afternoon telecast. All of America's media that could still operate boldly announced the news and encouraged their respective viewers and readers to visit a site convenient to them to hear the telecast. On Thursday morning, February 28, 2008 the same TV and radio stations were notified by O.U.T.R.A.G.E. that a direct feed would be available to them, allowing the 4:55 meeting to be televised - for the first time - over public airwaves. It was clearly evident that O.U.T.R.A.G.E. had the know-how, resources, and capabilities to make this happen. Some news directors marveled at the state-of-the-art ability of this rebel organization. As NBC, CBS, ABC or Fox News affiliates, they had rearely seen such technical quality and expertise.

Promptly at 4;55 P.M. EST, the meeting began. Colin Powell and John McCain were seated at a large table. In front of them were stacks of files, papers, books and computer discs. The camera focused on Powell as he began to speak deliberately and with with a tone that conveyed absolute authority and confidence.

"A lot has happened since six Thursdays ago when our United States government, along with much of America's political, commercial, and social structure was obliterated by a massive group of individuals who call their revolution the 'Rebellion of '08' and who have named themselves the Oppressed United Taxpayers Revolting Against Government Excesses - O.U.T.R.A.G.E for short. I was - and still am - bitter about what this band of outlaws did, and believe there might have been other ways to address and resolve the issues they so valiantly defend. However, we cannot undo what has been done. We must now move forward and rebuild our great country. Senator John McCain and I have been drafted to help start this vital and necessary process. If we delay, our country will become vulnerable to predator nations who might see our situation as an opportunity to launch a hostile take over of our country. That is unacceptable.

Mmebers of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. had a comprehensive plan for their revolution. They decimated much of that which they considered repugnant to our American culture. They left intact all of that which they considered beneficial to our American society. After intense review of those 'targets' which O.U.T.R.A.G.E. destroyed using simple explosive devices, I confess that I recognize what their intent had been - and respect the integrity with which they went about trying to pinpoint their specific objectives. Casualties were in the millions - unfortunately, among those millions were thousands of innocent people whose lives put them in the wrong place at the wrong time. Any war results in 'civilian' casualties; this 'war' was no exception.

Next Tuesday, March 4, 2008, we will hold an interim election wherein Senator McCain and I will ask for your vote to elect us as temporary President and Vice-President of the United States. This is in clear violation of the rules of succession as outlined by our laws. However, it is necessary in deference to the circumstances at hand, as they exist. It is necessary to start fresh without any undue animosity toward the events that have recently affected our great nation. Objectivity, unbiased leadership and bold perspective is imperative if we are to propitiously and expeditiously make a transition to a new kind of democracy that will intimately involve all the people of this nation, and take away the power, influence, wealth, and avarice of the few."

As if under professional direction, the camera immediately framed John McCain's face within its lens. "To encourage popular participation in next Tuesday's vote, we are declaring a three-day Voter's holiday beginning Sunday, March 2, as first proposed on Monday, January 28: Article VI. All qualified American citizens will be given three days to review in earnest all twenty-five resolutions that have been introduced. Special committees and panels of ordinary citizens have generated formal legislation that will also be voted on next Tuesday. Only that legislation voted on in the affirmative, by the majority of those casting votes, will become part of federal law. The same condition applies to your election of an interim President and Vice-President. If you are against the two candidates, you have the full power to keep it from happening. All it takes is a majority vote against the referendum. This telecast will now run twenty-four hours a day until after the election, and after all votes have been counted publicly. Toll-free numbers are set up - and will be displayed at the bottom of the screen soon - so that voters can call if they have questions of need more information. O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members will man the phone lines around the clock. There are also e-mail addresses if you have questions or comment. Due to the large volume of e-mail expected, it might not be possible to reply to each individual; however, the most popular questions will be answered at different intervals during these telecasts."

Now the camera showed Powell and McCain seated at the table as various messages began to appear, superimposed on the screen over the images of the two drafted candidates. Soon the toll-free numbers and e-mail addresses scrolled along a bright lime-green banner at the bottom of the screen. From field reports, it was estimated that the crowds in theaters, community centers, libraries, warehouses, taverns, and other locations had more than tripled. Realistic expectations were that as many as ten million Americans heard the statements from Powell and McCain.

Now the biggest challenge facing O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members around the country was to convert these passive viewers into active voters; voters who would not only participate in the voting process themselves, but would also enthusiastically recruit millions more to come to the polls on Tuesday.

Now, millions more Americans had access to the constant coverage of what was going on at O.U.T.R.A.G.E. 'headquarters' - as well as the thousands of sites across America. Those radio and Tv stations still in operation began round-the-clock coverage of the events as the United States started to rebound from what was perhaps the worst domestic disaster ever to be inflicted on any nation in modern history.

Sites across the country had all received their election materials, which included everything from press releases to outdoor yard signs. Locally, these materials were being freely - and generously - distributed in an attempt to 'get the word out" about next week's important election. America was on its way to recovery. America was about to vote for renewal.