On Thursday, March 6, 2008, the work had begun in earnest. Everything up to this point had been speculative...hopeful. Now the members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. were called into action to help the newly-elected Interim President Colin Powell and Interim Vice-President John McCain restore and reform the gvoernment of the United States.
Walls in the huge complex only known as O.U.T.R.A.G.E. "headquarters" were now adorned with slogans and quotations from many people of noted reputation or influence. Each poster was created in bold colors, utilizing professional typography and a consistent format. Each message, while often critically humorous, reflected the idealogy of the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. organization. It was imperative that this group who led the 'Rebellion of '08' remained true to their vision. These signs seemed to serve as a reminder of that quest.
"SUPPOSE YOU WERE AN IDIOT...AND SUPPOSE YOU WERE A MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
BUT THEN I REPEAT MYSELF...." - Mark Twain
"I CONTEND THAT FOR A NATION TO TRY AND TAX ITSELF INTO PROSPERITY IS LIKE A MAN STANDING IN A BUCKET AND TRYING TO LIFT HIMSELF UP BY THE HANDLE." - Winston Churchill
"A GOVERNMENT WHICH ROBS PETER TO PAY PAUL CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON PAUL'S SUPPORT." - George Bernard Shaw
"DEMOCRACY IS TWO WOLVES AND A LAMB VOTING ON WHAT TO HAVE FOR LUNCH. LIBERTY IS A WELL-ARMED LAMB CONTESTING THE VOTE." - Benjamin Franklin
"FOREIGN AID MIGHT BE DEFINED AS A TRANSFER OF MONEY FROM POOR PEOPLE IN RICH COUNTRIES TO RICH PEOPLE IN POOR COUNTRIES." - Douglas Casey (Classmate of Bill Clinton at Georgetown University)
I DON'T MAKE JOKES. I JUST WATCH THE GOVERNMENT AND REPORT THE FACTS." - Will Rogers
"IF YOU THINK HEALTH CARE IS EXPENSIVE NOW, WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT IT COSTS WHEN IT'S FREE!" - P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian
"GIVING MONEY AND POWER TO GOVERNMENT IS LIKE GIVING WHISKEY AND CAR KEYS TO A TEEN-AGE BOY." - P.J. O'Rourke
"GOVERNMENT IS THE GREAT FICTION, THROUGH WHICH EVERYBODY ENDEAVOURS TO LIVE AT THE EXPENSE OF EVERYBODY ELSE." - Frederick Bastiat, French Economist (1801-1850)
"THE TREE OF LIBERTY MUST BE REFRESHED FROM TIME TO TIME WITH THE BLOODOF PATRIOTS AND TYRANTS." - Thomas Jefferson
"IN GENERAL, THE ART OF GOVERNMENT CONSISTS OF TAKING AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE FROM ON PARTY OF THE CITIZENS TO GIVE TO THE OTHER." - Voltaire (1764)
"JUST BECAUSE YOU DO NOT TAKE AN INTEREST IN POLITICS DOESN'T MEAN POLITICS WON'T TAKE AN INTEREST IN YOU." - Pericles (430 B.C.)
"TALK IS CHEAP - EXCEPT WHEN CONGRESS DOES IT." - (Anonymous)
"THE GOVERNMENT IS LIKE A BABY'S ALIMENTARY CANAL, WITH A HEALTHY APPETITE AT ONE END AND NO RESPONSIBILITY AT THE OTHER." - Ronald Reagan
"NO MAN's LIFE, LIBERTY OR PROPERTY IS SAFE WHILE THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION." - Mark Twain
"THERE IS NO DISTINCTLY NATIVE AMERICAN CRIMINAL CLASS....SAVE CONGRESS." - Mark Twain
"WHAT THIS COUNTRY NEEDS IS MORE UNEMPLOYED POLITICIANS." - Will Rogers
"THE ULTIMATE RESULT OF SHIELDING MEN FROM THE EFFECTS OF FOLLY IS TO FILL THE WORLD WITH FOOLS." - Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820 - 1903)
"GOVERNMENT'S VIEW OF THE ECONOMY COULD BE SUMMED UP IN A FEW SHORT PHRASES: IF IT MOVES, TAX IT. IF IT KEEPS MOVING, REGULATE IT. AND IF IT STOPS MOVING, SUBSIDIZE IT." - Ronald Reagan (1986)
Members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. lived by these words of wisdom and fanciful mottos. It was now the job of this rebellious organization to bring its views to the nation, and hopefully persuade the general populace to follow its lead in bringing a new civility, refreshed moral compass, and stronger sense of equality and fairness to the way government behaved. If the government conducted itself with more candor and truthfulness, there would be less discord among the citizenry.
Colin Powell and John McCain were busily engaged in bringing together military personnel, government administrative staff, and bureaucrats to initiate the process of rebuilding. The first challenge, however, was the most dauntlessly difficult: persuading all of these people to agree to a new philosophy in government; to make them all understand that they were now true public servants, fully and unconditionally accountable to the people of the United States. Effective immediately, every government employee, elected official, or appointee, would be required to sign a loyalty oath, pledging his or her allegiance to the people of the United States of America and their Constitution and laws. Should they violate their pledge, they would be subject to a charge of high treason against the people of the United States of America, and - if convicted in a federal court of law - could face a public firing squad. As harsh as it seemed within the confines of what was supposed to be a 'peaceful' reorganization, those committed to the service of their country would be held to higher standards, would be expected to set the better example, and would be held accountable for any indiscretions while in the service of their government. Incoming members of a newly-elected U.S. Congress would be required to sign an even more stringent oath of office before they would even be allowed to run for public office. Dirty politics would no longer be the rule of thumb. From now on, only honorable individuals of the highest integrity and moral code would be eligible for public service; the days of sucking off the taxpayers' teat were over.
As all these goings-on were going on, O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members in the field were busy helping to structure cells of political volunteers across the country. These groups would search for viable political candidates, and help prepare the country for the formal elections in November, 2008.
A whirlwind of activity seemed to energize the nation. But, two thousand miles away another storm was brewing that would result in governmental priorities being altered again. Since 2006, when former Vice-President Al Gore released a movie entitled, 'An Inconvenient Truth', the ecological issue of 'global warming' had taken center stage in the world's collective consciousness. For years, the debate had continued, as members of the scientific communities disagreed on how serious the issue was. In July, 2006, a government scientist had appeared on '60 Minutes', claiming that his thirty years' research on the subject was being censored by Bush administration lawyers. His speeches were 'edited' and watered-down to give the desired impression that global warming was not anything to be all that alarmed about. Skeptics pooh-poohed the idea; comedians made jokes about it; Environmental issues were one big joke as (especially) Americans - the world's most arrogantly 'disposable' society - squandered the Earth's natural resources. From oil to natural gas and nuclear energy, Americans had no concept, and little concern, over the idea of conservation. Most Americans didn't even REturn, REuse, and REcycle. It was easier and cheaper to pay someone to haul their trash away and bury it in a landfill. So, landfills filled with cardboard, steel, old computers, used cooking grease, newsprint, tin cans, discarded cell phones, magazines, aluminum, phone books, plastic, and all other kinds of materials that weren't quickly and easily biodegradable.
Scientists had warned for years that as polar ice caps continued to melt, mostly as a result of smoke-belching factories and vehicle emissions polutting the air, weather conditions around the world would change. Everytime it was ten below zero, comedians would joke about how the effects of global warming didn't seem to be viable. A little-noticed change in the southeast corner of the Caribbean, however, was about to dramatically change the streetscape of America. Meteorologists had long held to the dictum that the "official" hurricane season started in June, and lasted through late October or early November. Recent years had seen destructive hurricanes, especially during the late spring and early summer months. New Orleans had been the site of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the city and stirred America's consciousness as to how dangerous these storms might be. Weather experts trotted out various models, showing how various scenarios could desimate New York City, Washington, DC, and other major coastal cities in th U.S.A. But there were other priorities, and preparing for a devastating hurricane that might never arrive seemed a senseless waste of government resources, both at the municipal levels and at the federal level.
A tropical storm had been developing in the Caribbean for about a week, but no one took much notice. Weathermen predicted it would blow itself out at sea, and no predictions were being made that it would hit land. In what appeared to be an almost instantaneous change in course, the tropical storm inexplicably roared head-on into the tiny islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. The smallest sovereing nation the the western hemisphere, St, Kitts was by an unprecedented category five hurricane. It had come as a total surprise to meteorologists, particularly since this was only early March, three months before the hurricane season was slated to officially b egin. No one was prepared, including the members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. whose "headquarters" were now finally revealed: all along, the daily telecasts had been coming from a non-descript abandoned warehouse less than a mile from the island's renowned medical center and nurses' training facility. The building was twisted and torn apart, as were most buildings on the tiny island. Damage was incalculable, yet only three O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members had died as a result of the storm. The independent government of St. Kitts reported a total of thirty three deaths as the unamed hurricane blew through the island in a matter of minutes. As quickly as it had appeared, it was over. Only sixty-nine square miles, the island of St. Kitts wasn't any larger than the city of Washington, DC. Now it was left in complete ruin as the hurricane dashed toward the string of other Caribbean islands, and began its path of terror and destruction northward.
Weather officials said the speed and power of the storm was phenomenal, and predicted it was heading toward the east coast of the United States with a fierce and hellish intensity. Expectations were that the worst destruction would impact on U.S. coastal cities; the hurricane could start slamming into Florida within twenty-four hours or less. Of a fleet of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. airplanes parked at the St. Kitts airport, only two had escaped damage. Interim President Colin Powell was put aboard one plane and flown to a secure site within the United States continental borders. Interim Vice-President John McCain was put on the second plane and flown to another undisclosed site. All communications with local rescue operations would be dispatched from what remained of the nearly-demolished O.U.T.R.A.G.E. "headquarters' in St. Kitts. Co-ordinating such an overwhelming task just hours after Americans had voted for a change in government would test the mettle this new pair of chosen leaders.
Walls in the huge complex only known as O.U.T.R.A.G.E. "headquarters" were now adorned with slogans and quotations from many people of noted reputation or influence. Each poster was created in bold colors, utilizing professional typography and a consistent format. Each message, while often critically humorous, reflected the idealogy of the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. organization. It was imperative that this group who led the 'Rebellion of '08' remained true to their vision. These signs seemed to serve as a reminder of that quest.
"SUPPOSE YOU WERE AN IDIOT...AND SUPPOSE YOU WERE A MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
BUT THEN I REPEAT MYSELF...." - Mark Twain
"I CONTEND THAT FOR A NATION TO TRY AND TAX ITSELF INTO PROSPERITY IS LIKE A MAN STANDING IN A BUCKET AND TRYING TO LIFT HIMSELF UP BY THE HANDLE." - Winston Churchill
"A GOVERNMENT WHICH ROBS PETER TO PAY PAUL CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON PAUL'S SUPPORT." - George Bernard Shaw
"DEMOCRACY IS TWO WOLVES AND A LAMB VOTING ON WHAT TO HAVE FOR LUNCH. LIBERTY IS A WELL-ARMED LAMB CONTESTING THE VOTE." - Benjamin Franklin
"FOREIGN AID MIGHT BE DEFINED AS A TRANSFER OF MONEY FROM POOR PEOPLE IN RICH COUNTRIES TO RICH PEOPLE IN POOR COUNTRIES." - Douglas Casey (Classmate of Bill Clinton at Georgetown University)
I DON'T MAKE JOKES. I JUST WATCH THE GOVERNMENT AND REPORT THE FACTS." - Will Rogers
"IF YOU THINK HEALTH CARE IS EXPENSIVE NOW, WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT IT COSTS WHEN IT'S FREE!" - P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian
"GIVING MONEY AND POWER TO GOVERNMENT IS LIKE GIVING WHISKEY AND CAR KEYS TO A TEEN-AGE BOY." - P.J. O'Rourke
"GOVERNMENT IS THE GREAT FICTION, THROUGH WHICH EVERYBODY ENDEAVOURS TO LIVE AT THE EXPENSE OF EVERYBODY ELSE." - Frederick Bastiat, French Economist (1801-1850)
"THE TREE OF LIBERTY MUST BE REFRESHED FROM TIME TO TIME WITH THE BLOODOF PATRIOTS AND TYRANTS." - Thomas Jefferson
"IN GENERAL, THE ART OF GOVERNMENT CONSISTS OF TAKING AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE FROM ON PARTY OF THE CITIZENS TO GIVE TO THE OTHER." - Voltaire (1764)
"JUST BECAUSE YOU DO NOT TAKE AN INTEREST IN POLITICS DOESN'T MEAN POLITICS WON'T TAKE AN INTEREST IN YOU." - Pericles (430 B.C.)
"TALK IS CHEAP - EXCEPT WHEN CONGRESS DOES IT." - (Anonymous)
"THE GOVERNMENT IS LIKE A BABY'S ALIMENTARY CANAL, WITH A HEALTHY APPETITE AT ONE END AND NO RESPONSIBILITY AT THE OTHER." - Ronald Reagan
"NO MAN's LIFE, LIBERTY OR PROPERTY IS SAFE WHILE THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION." - Mark Twain
"THERE IS NO DISTINCTLY NATIVE AMERICAN CRIMINAL CLASS....SAVE CONGRESS." - Mark Twain
"WHAT THIS COUNTRY NEEDS IS MORE UNEMPLOYED POLITICIANS." - Will Rogers
"THE ULTIMATE RESULT OF SHIELDING MEN FROM THE EFFECTS OF FOLLY IS TO FILL THE WORLD WITH FOOLS." - Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820 - 1903)
"GOVERNMENT'S VIEW OF THE ECONOMY COULD BE SUMMED UP IN A FEW SHORT PHRASES: IF IT MOVES, TAX IT. IF IT KEEPS MOVING, REGULATE IT. AND IF IT STOPS MOVING, SUBSIDIZE IT." - Ronald Reagan (1986)
Members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. lived by these words of wisdom and fanciful mottos. It was now the job of this rebellious organization to bring its views to the nation, and hopefully persuade the general populace to follow its lead in bringing a new civility, refreshed moral compass, and stronger sense of equality and fairness to the way government behaved. If the government conducted itself with more candor and truthfulness, there would be less discord among the citizenry.
Colin Powell and John McCain were busily engaged in bringing together military personnel, government administrative staff, and bureaucrats to initiate the process of rebuilding. The first challenge, however, was the most dauntlessly difficult: persuading all of these people to agree to a new philosophy in government; to make them all understand that they were now true public servants, fully and unconditionally accountable to the people of the United States. Effective immediately, every government employee, elected official, or appointee, would be required to sign a loyalty oath, pledging his or her allegiance to the people of the United States of America and their Constitution and laws. Should they violate their pledge, they would be subject to a charge of high treason against the people of the United States of America, and - if convicted in a federal court of law - could face a public firing squad. As harsh as it seemed within the confines of what was supposed to be a 'peaceful' reorganization, those committed to the service of their country would be held to higher standards, would be expected to set the better example, and would be held accountable for any indiscretions while in the service of their government. Incoming members of a newly-elected U.S. Congress would be required to sign an even more stringent oath of office before they would even be allowed to run for public office. Dirty politics would no longer be the rule of thumb. From now on, only honorable individuals of the highest integrity and moral code would be eligible for public service; the days of sucking off the taxpayers' teat were over.
As all these goings-on were going on, O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members in the field were busy helping to structure cells of political volunteers across the country. These groups would search for viable political candidates, and help prepare the country for the formal elections in November, 2008.
A whirlwind of activity seemed to energize the nation. But, two thousand miles away another storm was brewing that would result in governmental priorities being altered again. Since 2006, when former Vice-President Al Gore released a movie entitled, 'An Inconvenient Truth', the ecological issue of 'global warming' had taken center stage in the world's collective consciousness. For years, the debate had continued, as members of the scientific communities disagreed on how serious the issue was. In July, 2006, a government scientist had appeared on '60 Minutes', claiming that his thirty years' research on the subject was being censored by Bush administration lawyers. His speeches were 'edited' and watered-down to give the desired impression that global warming was not anything to be all that alarmed about. Skeptics pooh-poohed the idea; comedians made jokes about it; Environmental issues were one big joke as (especially) Americans - the world's most arrogantly 'disposable' society - squandered the Earth's natural resources. From oil to natural gas and nuclear energy, Americans had no concept, and little concern, over the idea of conservation. Most Americans didn't even REturn, REuse, and REcycle. It was easier and cheaper to pay someone to haul their trash away and bury it in a landfill. So, landfills filled with cardboard, steel, old computers, used cooking grease, newsprint, tin cans, discarded cell phones, magazines, aluminum, phone books, plastic, and all other kinds of materials that weren't quickly and easily biodegradable.
Scientists had warned for years that as polar ice caps continued to melt, mostly as a result of smoke-belching factories and vehicle emissions polutting the air, weather conditions around the world would change. Everytime it was ten below zero, comedians would joke about how the effects of global warming didn't seem to be viable. A little-noticed change in the southeast corner of the Caribbean, however, was about to dramatically change the streetscape of America. Meteorologists had long held to the dictum that the "official" hurricane season started in June, and lasted through late October or early November. Recent years had seen destructive hurricanes, especially during the late spring and early summer months. New Orleans had been the site of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the city and stirred America's consciousness as to how dangerous these storms might be. Weather experts trotted out various models, showing how various scenarios could desimate New York City, Washington, DC, and other major coastal cities in th U.S.A. But there were other priorities, and preparing for a devastating hurricane that might never arrive seemed a senseless waste of government resources, both at the municipal levels and at the federal level.
A tropical storm had been developing in the Caribbean for about a week, but no one took much notice. Weathermen predicted it would blow itself out at sea, and no predictions were being made that it would hit land. In what appeared to be an almost instantaneous change in course, the tropical storm inexplicably roared head-on into the tiny islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. The smallest sovereing nation the the western hemisphere, St, Kitts was by an unprecedented category five hurricane. It had come as a total surprise to meteorologists, particularly since this was only early March, three months before the hurricane season was slated to officially b egin. No one was prepared, including the members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. whose "headquarters" were now finally revealed: all along, the daily telecasts had been coming from a non-descript abandoned warehouse less than a mile from the island's renowned medical center and nurses' training facility. The building was twisted and torn apart, as were most buildings on the tiny island. Damage was incalculable, yet only three O.U.T.R.A.G.E. members had died as a result of the storm. The independent government of St. Kitts reported a total of thirty three deaths as the unamed hurricane blew through the island in a matter of minutes. As quickly as it had appeared, it was over. Only sixty-nine square miles, the island of St. Kitts wasn't any larger than the city of Washington, DC. Now it was left in complete ruin as the hurricane dashed toward the string of other Caribbean islands, and began its path of terror and destruction northward.
Weather officials said the speed and power of the storm was phenomenal, and predicted it was heading toward the east coast of the United States with a fierce and hellish intensity. Expectations were that the worst destruction would impact on U.S. coastal cities; the hurricane could start slamming into Florida within twenty-four hours or less. Of a fleet of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. airplanes parked at the St. Kitts airport, only two had escaped damage. Interim President Colin Powell was put aboard one plane and flown to a secure site within the United States continental borders. Interim Vice-President John McCain was put on the second plane and flown to another undisclosed site. All communications with local rescue operations would be dispatched from what remained of the nearly-demolished O.U.T.R.A.G.E. "headquarters' in St. Kitts. Co-ordinating such an overwhelming task just hours after Americans had voted for a change in government would test the mettle this new pair of chosen leaders.
posted by Bushwacker! at 6:17 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home