Warning: Do not eat or drink before hitting play, and if you have asthma, grab your inhaler.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
They are coming for your children or INvoluntary Servitude
This has passed a house vote, and has moved on to Congress. Perhaps another bill no one has read?
Involuntary servitude of your children, isn't this unconstitutional? See where it says mandatory?
Here is the Roll
(3) YOUTH ENGAGEMENT ZONE PROGRAM- The term ‘youth engagement zone program’ means a service learning program in which members of an eligible partnership described in paragraph (4) collaborate to provide coordinated school-based or community-based service learning opportunities, to address a specific community challenge, for an increasing percentage of out-of-school youth and secondary school students served by local educational agencies where--
‘(A) not less than 90 percent of the students participate in service-learning activities as part of the program; or
‘(B) service-learning is a mandatory part of the curriculum in all of the secondary schools served by the local educational agency.
And:
(b) Specific Topics- In carrying out its general purpose under subsection (a), the Commission shall address and analyze the following specific topics:
(1) The level of understanding about the current Federal, State, and local volunteer programs and opportunities for service among individuals in the United States.
(2) The issues that deter volunteerism and national service, particularly among young people, and how the identified issues can be overcome.
(3) Whether there is an appropriate role for Federal, State, and local governments in overcoming the issues that deter volunteerism and national service and, if appropriate, how to expand the relationships and partnerships between different levels of government in promoting volunteerism and national service.
(4) Whether existing databases are effective in matching community needs to would-be volunteers and service providers.
(5) The effect on the Nation, on those who serve, and on the families of those who serve, if all individuals in the United States were expected to perform national service or were required to perform a certain amount of national service.
(6) Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
(7) The need for a public service academy, a 4-year institution that offers a federally funded undergraduate education with a focus on training future public sector leaders.
(8) The means to develop awareness of national service and volunteer opportunities at a young age by creating, expanding, and promoting service options for elementary and secondary school students, through service learning or other means, and by raising awareness of existing incentives.
(9) The effectiveness of establishing a training program on college campuses to recruit and educate college students for national service.
(10) The effect on United States diplomacy and foreign policy interests of expanding service opportunities abroad, such as the Peace Corps, and the degree of need and capacity abroad for an expansion.
(11) The constraints that service providers, nonprofit organizations, and State and local agencies face in utilizing federally funded volunteer programs, and how these constraints can be overcome.
(12) Whether current Federal volunteer programs are suited to address the special skills and needs of senior volunteers, and if not, how these programs can be improved such that the Federal Government can effectively promote service among the ‘baby boomer’ generation.
Involuntary servitude of your children, isn't this unconstitutional? See where it says mandatory?
Here is the Roll
(3) YOUTH ENGAGEMENT ZONE PROGRAM- The term ‘youth engagement zone program’ means a service learning program in which members of an eligible partnership described in paragraph (4) collaborate to provide coordinated school-based or community-based service learning opportunities, to address a specific community challenge, for an increasing percentage of out-of-school youth and secondary school students served by local educational agencies where--
‘(A) not less than 90 percent of the students participate in service-learning activities as part of the program; or
‘(B) service-learning is a mandatory part of the curriculum in all of the secondary schools served by the local educational agency.
And:
(b) Specific Topics- In carrying out its general purpose under subsection (a), the Commission shall address and analyze the following specific topics:
(1) The level of understanding about the current Federal, State, and local volunteer programs and opportunities for service among individuals in the United States.
(2) The issues that deter volunteerism and national service, particularly among young people, and how the identified issues can be overcome.
(3) Whether there is an appropriate role for Federal, State, and local governments in overcoming the issues that deter volunteerism and national service and, if appropriate, how to expand the relationships and partnerships between different levels of government in promoting volunteerism and national service.
(4) Whether existing databases are effective in matching community needs to would-be volunteers and service providers.
(5) The effect on the Nation, on those who serve, and on the families of those who serve, if all individuals in the United States were expected to perform national service or were required to perform a certain amount of national service.
(6) Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
(7) The need for a public service academy, a 4-year institution that offers a federally funded undergraduate education with a focus on training future public sector leaders.
(8) The means to develop awareness of national service and volunteer opportunities at a young age by creating, expanding, and promoting service options for elementary and secondary school students, through service learning or other means, and by raising awareness of existing incentives.
(9) The effectiveness of establishing a training program on college campuses to recruit and educate college students for national service.
(10) The effect on United States diplomacy and foreign policy interests of expanding service opportunities abroad, such as the Peace Corps, and the degree of need and capacity abroad for an expansion.
(11) The constraints that service providers, nonprofit organizations, and State and local agencies face in utilizing federally funded volunteer programs, and how these constraints can be overcome.
(12) Whether current Federal volunteer programs are suited to address the special skills and needs of senior volunteers, and if not, how these programs can be improved such that the Federal Government can effectively promote service among the ‘baby boomer’ generation.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The disgrace we are about to become
Nationalized Health care.
I am simply speechless as I watch the federal government make more stealth moves with the intent to bolster and push through their end goals of nationalizing the one thing we in the U.S. can hold dear, and that is the level of excellence private hospitals strive for with regards to health care and treatment of their patients.
In finality, the goal will be to make private health insurance unreachable for most, if not all. Standards of care will decline with the loss of both Doctors and nurses, as they evacuate the health care field simply out of desperation in watching it crumble, and feeling useless and unable to do anything to stop it.
I have spoken to several physicians who state they will retire. I know nurses who love their jobs for being able to help others, to make a difference. When you take these people and make it so they will be unable to relieve your pain, or are so over worked and soon to be underpaid, they simply quit caring. Many will leave the field.
This enables more lax standards in nursing to fill vacated positions out of necessity, and overloaded Doctors who can't properly review a patent's records. Under experienced and under trained nurses will deal with low pay and high levels of anxiety and frustration. All for the good of the country, right?
The move to make soldiers pay for their own health care through private insurance in itself is a disgusting disgrace. You have someone devoting their life to their country, to only have the Commander in Chief stab them in the back, and then tell them to go pay for it themselves.
If a soldier with a health care policy with financial lifetime limits were to suffer a catastrophic injury, he could reach lifetime limits in a matter of weeks. This could potentially leave his family uninsured in the process, and having to face future expenses with out of pocket co pays and deductibles. The madness goes on.
The very men that swear an oath to this country are about to be betrayed by the very Commander in Chief over them.
Today, Britain apologized for the horrors uncovered in a report abut their hospitals, and the lack of care and compassion that Nationalizing health care holds for our future. Read this article, and pray you never get sick.
"Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "I apologise on behalf of the government and the NHS, for the pain and anguish caused to so many patients and their families by the appalling standards of care at Stafford Hospital."
So that's it? They apologize. Aww, how touching. How soothing that must be for the people that lost their lives, or the lives of a loved one.
"Between 400 and 1,200 more people died than would have been expected in a three-year period at the National Health Service (NHS) hospital, according to an investigation by the Health care Commission watchdog."
Once his plan plays out, no one will be able to afford normal health coverage. The goal is to bankrupt the insurance companies in no simpler terms than by using our military to do so. "We are losing in Afghanistan," Obama says. This means more fatalities and more injuries - expect catastrophic injuries like amputations, brain injuries, lifetime disabling injuries requiring lifetime expensive care.
No more Veteran's hospitals, no more funded care for those willing to give their lives. By bankrupting insurance companies, the remaining viable companies will have to resort to exponentially high rates that no one but the richest could possibly afford, thereby literally forcing our middle class into government funded care.
Now, we have Obama playing more tricks in his 3 ring circus.
"March 18 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama may try to push through Congress a health-care overhaul, energy proposals and tax increases by using a partisan tactic that would thwart Republican efforts to block the measures."
"The move would allow Democrats to approve plans to raise taxes by $1 trillion, create a cap-and-trade system to rein in greenhouse-gas emissions, and overhaul health care without a single Republican vote."
So much for his bipartisanship.
I saved the best for last.
"Democrats will have to decide soon because reconciliation, if it is to be used, would have to be included as part of the annual budget blueprint lawmakers hope to complete next month."
What more can you say? Seriously.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Edit for update - March 19: Seems Obama has now backed off the military private insurance. For now.
I am simply speechless as I watch the federal government make more stealth moves with the intent to bolster and push through their end goals of nationalizing the one thing we in the U.S. can hold dear, and that is the level of excellence private hospitals strive for with regards to health care and treatment of their patients.
In finality, the goal will be to make private health insurance unreachable for most, if not all. Standards of care will decline with the loss of both Doctors and nurses, as they evacuate the health care field simply out of desperation in watching it crumble, and feeling useless and unable to do anything to stop it.
I have spoken to several physicians who state they will retire. I know nurses who love their jobs for being able to help others, to make a difference. When you take these people and make it so they will be unable to relieve your pain, or are so over worked and soon to be underpaid, they simply quit caring. Many will leave the field.
This enables more lax standards in nursing to fill vacated positions out of necessity, and overloaded Doctors who can't properly review a patent's records. Under experienced and under trained nurses will deal with low pay and high levels of anxiety and frustration. All for the good of the country, right?
The move to make soldiers pay for their own health care through private insurance in itself is a disgusting disgrace. You have someone devoting their life to their country, to only have the Commander in Chief stab them in the back, and then tell them to go pay for it themselves.
If a soldier with a health care policy with financial lifetime limits were to suffer a catastrophic injury, he could reach lifetime limits in a matter of weeks. This could potentially leave his family uninsured in the process, and having to face future expenses with out of pocket co pays and deductibles. The madness goes on.
The very men that swear an oath to this country are about to be betrayed by the very Commander in Chief over them.
Today, Britain apologized for the horrors uncovered in a report abut their hospitals, and the lack of care and compassion that Nationalizing health care holds for our future. Read this article, and pray you never get sick.
"Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "I apologise on behalf of the government and the NHS, for the pain and anguish caused to so many patients and their families by the appalling standards of care at Stafford Hospital."
So that's it? They apologize. Aww, how touching. How soothing that must be for the people that lost their lives, or the lives of a loved one.
"Between 400 and 1,200 more people died than would have been expected in a three-year period at the National Health Service (NHS) hospital, according to an investigation by the Health care Commission watchdog."
Once his plan plays out, no one will be able to afford normal health coverage. The goal is to bankrupt the insurance companies in no simpler terms than by using our military to do so. "We are losing in Afghanistan," Obama says. This means more fatalities and more injuries - expect catastrophic injuries like amputations, brain injuries, lifetime disabling injuries requiring lifetime expensive care.
No more Veteran's hospitals, no more funded care for those willing to give their lives. By bankrupting insurance companies, the remaining viable companies will have to resort to exponentially high rates that no one but the richest could possibly afford, thereby literally forcing our middle class into government funded care.
Now, we have Obama playing more tricks in his 3 ring circus.
"March 18 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama may try to push through Congress a health-care overhaul, energy proposals and tax increases by using a partisan tactic that would thwart Republican efforts to block the measures."
"The move would allow Democrats to approve plans to raise taxes by $1 trillion, create a cap-and-trade system to rein in greenhouse-gas emissions, and overhaul health care without a single Republican vote."
So much for his bipartisanship.
I saved the best for last.
"Democrats will have to decide soon because reconciliation, if it is to be used, would have to be included as part of the annual budget blueprint lawmakers hope to complete next month."
What more can you say? Seriously.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Edit for update - March 19: Seems Obama has now backed off the military private insurance. For now.
Obama charade games continue
What do Rush Limbaugh and Tim Geithner have in common?
We can start with the Rush bashing that has taken place over the past few weeks. The GoP continuously stated this was a distraction, but at the time, no one knew what it was distracting from.
Until now. In the first half of this week, it has become clear what it was they were attempting to distract from. Just look at the feigned "outrage" of the Obama administration. I say feigned, because they knew. Oh yes, they knew.
Now, Geithner may be the next on the pile (or small mountain) that is growing under the bus. Sure, Obama says the AIG ticket stops with him, but only at the expense of Geithner. Obama knew, because back before he was appointed, Geithner knew, and *surely* he passed this bit of news on. Didn't he? Didn't he? I mean, he *was* the president of the Federal Reserve Bank. Will we soon add, he *was* the Secretary of the Treasury?
Being in the position that they can no longer blame Bush for this, the administration slapped the only person they could think of, completely neglecting the fact that congress is the real blame for this. Not the republicans in congress, but the Dems.
Remember who voted how, and now you can clearly see why. Except for the few RINO's, republicans stood back and let the house self destruct, and now get to witness the White House scramble to put out the fire - they created? It's all a one trick pony show, none of it is real. One tenth of one percent of the bailout went to these bonuses. Where is the real outrage at the billions.. TRILLIONS?
Now, we have the slobbering Bawney Fwank and the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac bonuses. Yes, they knew. All of these theatrics and drama are for one reason, and one reason only. Polls, campaigning, (which Obama hs still yet to cease since he took - stole - office) and popularity.
But it sure is backfiring, now, isn't it? Obama wanted to be seen as the hero, slamming the AIG execs for the bonuses, wiping up the mess, and dusting his hands off, saying, "There! I fixed it!" but it isn't going that way at all. Watch in the next week as those polls slip even further. Obama loves to sidestep any chance of blame by having himself removed from most decisions, but ultimately, it does come down to him, and thank goodness even the Dems are waking up.
The blame lies squarely with this administration, and their rushed bail outs which congress oversaw, and knew in detail about the bonuses. Only after it was made public did Obama have to come up with some idea, some fake show, that he was sure mad! Uh huh.
Here comes the Bus, Timmah!
Either all of this is a 3 ring circus, cleverly crafted to make Obama look swift, or it is really a 3 ring circus, and no one in the White House knows what they are doing. I opt for the latter, please. I would like a tall glass of I told you so with that, too.
Will slobbering Bawney stop slavering Obama's rear long enough to realize he is SO busted?
I doubt it, but it makes for good comedy. If only it wasn't so damned sad.
We can start with the Rush bashing that has taken place over the past few weeks. The GoP continuously stated this was a distraction, but at the time, no one knew what it was distracting from.
Until now. In the first half of this week, it has become clear what it was they were attempting to distract from. Just look at the feigned "outrage" of the Obama administration. I say feigned, because they knew. Oh yes, they knew.
Now, Geithner may be the next on the pile (or small mountain) that is growing under the bus. Sure, Obama says the AIG ticket stops with him, but only at the expense of Geithner. Obama knew, because back before he was appointed, Geithner knew, and *surely* he passed this bit of news on. Didn't he? Didn't he? I mean, he *was* the president of the Federal Reserve Bank. Will we soon add, he *was* the Secretary of the Treasury?
Being in the position that they can no longer blame Bush for this, the administration slapped the only person they could think of, completely neglecting the fact that congress is the real blame for this. Not the republicans in congress, but the Dems.
Remember who voted how, and now you can clearly see why. Except for the few RINO's, republicans stood back and let the house self destruct, and now get to witness the White House scramble to put out the fire - they created? It's all a one trick pony show, none of it is real. One tenth of one percent of the bailout went to these bonuses. Where is the real outrage at the billions.. TRILLIONS?
Now, we have the slobbering Bawney Fwank and the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac bonuses. Yes, they knew. All of these theatrics and drama are for one reason, and one reason only. Polls, campaigning, (which Obama hs still yet to cease since he took - stole - office) and popularity.
But it sure is backfiring, now, isn't it? Obama wanted to be seen as the hero, slamming the AIG execs for the bonuses, wiping up the mess, and dusting his hands off, saying, "There! I fixed it!" but it isn't going that way at all. Watch in the next week as those polls slip even further. Obama loves to sidestep any chance of blame by having himself removed from most decisions, but ultimately, it does come down to him, and thank goodness even the Dems are waking up.
The blame lies squarely with this administration, and their rushed bail outs which congress oversaw, and knew in detail about the bonuses. Only after it was made public did Obama have to come up with some idea, some fake show, that he was sure mad! Uh huh.
Here comes the Bus, Timmah!
Either all of this is a 3 ring circus, cleverly crafted to make Obama look swift, or it is really a 3 ring circus, and no one in the White House knows what they are doing. I opt for the latter, please. I would like a tall glass of I told you so with that, too.
Will slobbering Bawney stop slavering Obama's rear long enough to realize he is SO busted?
I doubt it, but it makes for good comedy. If only it wasn't so damned sad.
When It Came
The following is a story I stumbled upon, and after reading it, I contacted the author and requested permission to post it here. I thought some of you may enjoy this. I certainly left me thinking for a while. Thank you for you generosity in sharing this story, Mr. Porretto.
_________Begin Post___________
When It Came
By Francis W. Porretto
(The following short story is why there will be no Rumination from me today.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The president-designate's eyes flicked briefly toward his chosen successor, then back to the helmeted soldier who stood before him, sidearm holstered at his hip. The soldier noticed the glance and smiled briefly.
"It's all right, Mr. Secretary," the soldier said. "Everything is secure. Chief Justice, are you ready to certify the proceedings?"
The jurist nodded. Though plainly shaken by the day's events, he was as composed as he'd ever been on the bench.
The soldier looked toward the waiting camera crews. "Ready, gentlemen?"
A forest of red lights winked on in assent.
The president-designate cleared his throat, sat forward, and did his best to smile.
"My fellow Americans," he said, the tremor in his voice barely controlled, "the events of today have not yet been reported to you in their full extent. Given the circumstances, I can only provide a synopsis. There are more important matters I must attend to at once.
"Most of you have never seen my face. I was not meant for this office, and will occupy it for only a few minutes more. You will find my successor more recognizable by far.
"I sit here because a few hours ago the man you elected president last November, his vice-presidential running mate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the secretary of State were all killed in combat." The president winced as he spoke. He could hardly imagine the impact of his words on the millions in the audience, most of whom had only the vaguest notion of what had happened in Washington that day. "I can't go into details about that engagement, except to tell you that they, and the men who stood by them, died in defense of offices they were no longer entitled to hold. They forfeited all right to those offices yesterday, when the president ordered American troops to fire on American citizens who were peacefully protesting his policies. When the troops in Anchorage, Alaska, Los Angeles, California, Tampa, Florida, and Portland, Maine refused those orders, the president ordered the officers commanding those troops to fire on them. The foreseeable result was a mutiny, and that's exactly what took place."
The explanation needs to be complete and correct.
"We were fortunate that our men at arms recognized the illegality of those orders. We were even more fortunate that the Joint Chiefs had been in contact with friendly forces outside the United States, formulating contingency plans to be put into motion should the need arise. It was those outside forces that proved critical to thwarting this unprecedented coup against the Constitution, engineered inside the government itself."
He paused to let the impact of the statement sink into the nation's minds.
"We are equally fortunate that the president pro tempore of the senate and the secretary of the Treasury, both of whom stand before me in the presidential line of succession, agreed to resign from office in exchange for immunity from prosecution for their collaboration with the coup. That allowed the office of the president to devolve to me. In a moment I will be sworn into it before you all. A moment more, and I will resign it in favor of my chosen successor, who is far more suited to the office than I.
"You might be thinking, 'How could a coup arise from inside the government itself? Aren't the soldiers who overthrew the president and his appointees the real coup?' A coup is a stroke against legitimate authority. In America, all legitimate authority flows from the Constitution of the United States. An official who acts in violation of the dictates of the Constitution is therefore an outlaw, a traitor against the bedrock laws and principles of this nation. If he tries to retain his position by force, others who are charged with enforcing the law are thereby entitled to take him down by force. That's what occurred earlier today, with a regrettable but unavoidable loss of life on both sides."
The president-designate's gaze passed swiftly over the faces of the cameramen. All were doing their best to retain a professional demeanor. None were entirely successful. The overwhelming majority of them, like the majority of their brethren in journalism, had supported the deposed administration. Few had any sympathy for the views of those who were to replace it. Yet each of them had volunteered for his assignment, knowing full well what had come to pass.
"I wish it could have been otherwise, but the late president gave us no choice. He had decided to place himself and his associates above the law -- the supreme law, the Constitution. That made him and those who stood by him criminals, whose deaths in combat were fully justified. I'd have preferred to see them go on trial for their crimes, but their tenacity in defense of their illegitimately wielded powers took that possibility away from us.
"We are at the beginning of a process whose end we cannot see. Nothing like this has occurred in America before today. No foreign soldier has fired a shot in anger on our soil since 1814. And never before have men whose sworn allegiance is to another nation been called to act in defense of our own.
"I must ask for your patience, and your prayers for my successor. I can ask nothing more -- especially not for your trust. To trust in government and politicians is and has always been insane. Our first president, George Washington himself, cautioned us against it. 'Government,' he said 'is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.' We almost learned the truth of that assessment upon our own backs. If it hadn't been for the character of our all-volunteer military and the foresight of a single foreign friend, we would have suffered as no generation of Americans has ever suffered.
"You will shortly meet my successor in this office. She's a woman of sterling character and considerable accomplishment. She's been an honest official throughout her public life. I entreat you: Don't trust her. Keep her honest. Keep her associates honest. Keep her agents honest. If I've judged her accurately, she'll appreciate the necessity.
"Above all..." The president-designate's voice caught momentarily. He looked down at the desk and struggled for calm.
It was necessary. Horrible, but right and necessary. I suppose I'll be telling myself that all the way to my grave.
"Above all, my fellow Americans, do not make it necessary ever again for America to be saved from itself by a foreign force. I will not criticize that force or its men at arms. We stand in permanent debt to them. But we should be ashamed that we, the people of the United States, supposedly the sovereign rulers of our own nation, needed their assistance to retain our Constitutional heritage. We should be ashamed that all our brave talk about holding our officials accountable for their deeds turned out to be no more than that. We should be ashamed that, virtually to a man, we were willing to submit to an elected tyranny, to go along with oppression in order to get along with our comfortable lives."
With those words, the president-designate felt his tears break free. He wiped his eyes on a sleeve, stood and squared his shoulders. The camera lenses followed him faithfully.
"That's it. I have no more to say."
He strode to where the chief justice stood, Bible in hand.
"Are you ready to take the oath of office, Mr. Secretary?" the chief justice said, voice quavering.
"I am, Your Honor."
Once the oath had been completed, the president returned to the historic desk -- his desk, for a few moments more -- crouched to sign the Deed of Resignation, and handed it at once to the chief justice.
"Is the form correct and the intent clear, Your Honor?"
The chief justice nodded gravely. "Yes to both, Mr. President. Thank you for your service to this nation." His eyes moved to the governor of Alaska. "Are you ready to take the oath of office, Madam Governor?"
She stepped forward, shoulders thrust back and head held high with an obvious effort. "I am, Your Honor."
As she completed the oath, the cameras winked out. The soldier waiting just beyond their gaze never budged.
***
The president found the White House telepresence room empty and as silent as a tomb. From the giant screen on the wall shone a single face.
She turned to her companion. "Please, have a seat."
The soldier smiled. "It's all right, Madam President. I prefer to stand."
She nodded and took her own place at the curved conference table.
"Mr. Prime Minister," she said.
"Madam President."
"I can't thank you enough. I can't imagine how to repay this debt."
The prime minister shook his head. "America prepaid this debt long ago. Not that we keep accounts over here, old jokes notwithstanding."
"All the same."
"Do you anticipate any further unpleasantness with...anyone on Capitol Hill?"
"I think the events of the day will make that unnecessary. I intend a clean sweep of the Cabinet, of course, except for Defense."
"Of course." The prime minister looked aside for an instant. "Would it be of any value to you to have our brigade remain in Washington a few days longer?"
The president felt her face tighten. "It would, but I have to balance that value against the appearance of a foreign occupation. I think the latter weighs more heavily, so I'm going to send them back to you. With thanks."
"Don't you have any fear of a counterstrike?"
The president grinned ruefully. "That's so unlikely it's not worth discussing. The army is on our side. The people are on our side, or soon will be. Our principal opponents will be the news media. I think I can cope with them."
The prime minister nodded. "Then I will be happy to welcome my forces home, and thank them for a difficult job well done. And, Madam President...?"
"Yes, Prime Minister?"
"Should you need further assistance, now or in the future, I trust you won't hesitate to ask."
For the first time that day, the president felt a lessening of the burden of her office.
Probably the last time, too.
"I won't, my friend. But I'm as embarrassed -- no, ashamed -- at our non-performance on our own behalf as my predecessor is. It shouldn't have been necessary. I intend to make it unnecessary, if it's in my power to do so. So once again, you have my thanks, and the thanks of our nation, and the fervent hope that nothing like this will ever happen again."
"To either of us, Madam President." The prime minister's gentle accent became more pronounced. "But you must discard your notions of debt. Your country has made it possible for men to be free. For men everywhere to dream of freedom, whatever bondage they currently endure. And for my nation, the sole refuge of a badly oppressed people, to exist at all. We will never forget that. We cannot."
The prime minister raised his hand in silent farewell. The president did the same, and the great screen went dark. She sat unspeaking for a long moment, then turned to the soldier who stood at her side.
"Your prime minister is a great man," she said.
"He thinks rather highly of you, Madam President."
She nodded and rose. "It's a degree of esteem I'll have to try to earn. And now, General Alon," she said, a hand extended, "my thanks to you and your men for saving my country from itself."
The soldier did not take the proffered hand. Instead he came to full attention and executed a micrometrically perfect salute. "No thanks are required, Madam President." He started to turn to leave, stopped, and cocked an eyebrow. "May I leave you with a memento of our alliance?"
"None is required, General."
"Please, Ma'am." He handed her his uniform cap. "I have another. Remember that America is not without friends." With that, he departed.
She turned the cap in her hands. The stylized Star of David, inset with the sword and olive branch of the Israeli Defence Forces, gleamed from its prow. She vowed upon the instant that it would rest upon her desk in the Oval Office for as long as she might sit there.
"Thank You, God," she murmured, "for men of valor and justice. It could only have been nicer if they'd been Americans."
-- The End --
_________Begin Post___________
When It Came
By Francis W. Porretto
(The following short story is why there will be no Rumination from me today.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The president-designate's eyes flicked briefly toward his chosen successor, then back to the helmeted soldier who stood before him, sidearm holstered at his hip. The soldier noticed the glance and smiled briefly.
"It's all right, Mr. Secretary," the soldier said. "Everything is secure. Chief Justice, are you ready to certify the proceedings?"
The jurist nodded. Though plainly shaken by the day's events, he was as composed as he'd ever been on the bench.
The soldier looked toward the waiting camera crews. "Ready, gentlemen?"
A forest of red lights winked on in assent.
The president-designate cleared his throat, sat forward, and did his best to smile.
"My fellow Americans," he said, the tremor in his voice barely controlled, "the events of today have not yet been reported to you in their full extent. Given the circumstances, I can only provide a synopsis. There are more important matters I must attend to at once.
"Most of you have never seen my face. I was not meant for this office, and will occupy it for only a few minutes more. You will find my successor more recognizable by far.
"I sit here because a few hours ago the man you elected president last November, his vice-presidential running mate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the secretary of State were all killed in combat." The president winced as he spoke. He could hardly imagine the impact of his words on the millions in the audience, most of whom had only the vaguest notion of what had happened in Washington that day. "I can't go into details about that engagement, except to tell you that they, and the men who stood by them, died in defense of offices they were no longer entitled to hold. They forfeited all right to those offices yesterday, when the president ordered American troops to fire on American citizens who were peacefully protesting his policies. When the troops in Anchorage, Alaska, Los Angeles, California, Tampa, Florida, and Portland, Maine refused those orders, the president ordered the officers commanding those troops to fire on them. The foreseeable result was a mutiny, and that's exactly what took place."
The explanation needs to be complete and correct.
"We were fortunate that our men at arms recognized the illegality of those orders. We were even more fortunate that the Joint Chiefs had been in contact with friendly forces outside the United States, formulating contingency plans to be put into motion should the need arise. It was those outside forces that proved critical to thwarting this unprecedented coup against the Constitution, engineered inside the government itself."
He paused to let the impact of the statement sink into the nation's minds.
"We are equally fortunate that the president pro tempore of the senate and the secretary of the Treasury, both of whom stand before me in the presidential line of succession, agreed to resign from office in exchange for immunity from prosecution for their collaboration with the coup. That allowed the office of the president to devolve to me. In a moment I will be sworn into it before you all. A moment more, and I will resign it in favor of my chosen successor, who is far more suited to the office than I.
"You might be thinking, 'How could a coup arise from inside the government itself? Aren't the soldiers who overthrew the president and his appointees the real coup?' A coup is a stroke against legitimate authority. In America, all legitimate authority flows from the Constitution of the United States. An official who acts in violation of the dictates of the Constitution is therefore an outlaw, a traitor against the bedrock laws and principles of this nation. If he tries to retain his position by force, others who are charged with enforcing the law are thereby entitled to take him down by force. That's what occurred earlier today, with a regrettable but unavoidable loss of life on both sides."
The president-designate's gaze passed swiftly over the faces of the cameramen. All were doing their best to retain a professional demeanor. None were entirely successful. The overwhelming majority of them, like the majority of their brethren in journalism, had supported the deposed administration. Few had any sympathy for the views of those who were to replace it. Yet each of them had volunteered for his assignment, knowing full well what had come to pass.
"I wish it could have been otherwise, but the late president gave us no choice. He had decided to place himself and his associates above the law -- the supreme law, the Constitution. That made him and those who stood by him criminals, whose deaths in combat were fully justified. I'd have preferred to see them go on trial for their crimes, but their tenacity in defense of their illegitimately wielded powers took that possibility away from us.
"We are at the beginning of a process whose end we cannot see. Nothing like this has occurred in America before today. No foreign soldier has fired a shot in anger on our soil since 1814. And never before have men whose sworn allegiance is to another nation been called to act in defense of our own.
"I must ask for your patience, and your prayers for my successor. I can ask nothing more -- especially not for your trust. To trust in government and politicians is and has always been insane. Our first president, George Washington himself, cautioned us against it. 'Government,' he said 'is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.' We almost learned the truth of that assessment upon our own backs. If it hadn't been for the character of our all-volunteer military and the foresight of a single foreign friend, we would have suffered as no generation of Americans has ever suffered.
"You will shortly meet my successor in this office. She's a woman of sterling character and considerable accomplishment. She's been an honest official throughout her public life. I entreat you: Don't trust her. Keep her honest. Keep her associates honest. Keep her agents honest. If I've judged her accurately, she'll appreciate the necessity.
"Above all..." The president-designate's voice caught momentarily. He looked down at the desk and struggled for calm.
It was necessary. Horrible, but right and necessary. I suppose I'll be telling myself that all the way to my grave.
"Above all, my fellow Americans, do not make it necessary ever again for America to be saved from itself by a foreign force. I will not criticize that force or its men at arms. We stand in permanent debt to them. But we should be ashamed that we, the people of the United States, supposedly the sovereign rulers of our own nation, needed their assistance to retain our Constitutional heritage. We should be ashamed that all our brave talk about holding our officials accountable for their deeds turned out to be no more than that. We should be ashamed that, virtually to a man, we were willing to submit to an elected tyranny, to go along with oppression in order to get along with our comfortable lives."
With those words, the president-designate felt his tears break free. He wiped his eyes on a sleeve, stood and squared his shoulders. The camera lenses followed him faithfully.
"That's it. I have no more to say."
He strode to where the chief justice stood, Bible in hand.
"Are you ready to take the oath of office, Mr. Secretary?" the chief justice said, voice quavering.
"I am, Your Honor."
Once the oath had been completed, the president returned to the historic desk -- his desk, for a few moments more -- crouched to sign the Deed of Resignation, and handed it at once to the chief justice.
"Is the form correct and the intent clear, Your Honor?"
The chief justice nodded gravely. "Yes to both, Mr. President. Thank you for your service to this nation." His eyes moved to the governor of Alaska. "Are you ready to take the oath of office, Madam Governor?"
She stepped forward, shoulders thrust back and head held high with an obvious effort. "I am, Your Honor."
As she completed the oath, the cameras winked out. The soldier waiting just beyond their gaze never budged.
***
The president found the White House telepresence room empty and as silent as a tomb. From the giant screen on the wall shone a single face.
She turned to her companion. "Please, have a seat."
The soldier smiled. "It's all right, Madam President. I prefer to stand."
She nodded and took her own place at the curved conference table.
"Mr. Prime Minister," she said.
"Madam President."
"I can't thank you enough. I can't imagine how to repay this debt."
The prime minister shook his head. "America prepaid this debt long ago. Not that we keep accounts over here, old jokes notwithstanding."
"All the same."
"Do you anticipate any further unpleasantness with...anyone on Capitol Hill?"
"I think the events of the day will make that unnecessary. I intend a clean sweep of the Cabinet, of course, except for Defense."
"Of course." The prime minister looked aside for an instant. "Would it be of any value to you to have our brigade remain in Washington a few days longer?"
The president felt her face tighten. "It would, but I have to balance that value against the appearance of a foreign occupation. I think the latter weighs more heavily, so I'm going to send them back to you. With thanks."
"Don't you have any fear of a counterstrike?"
The president grinned ruefully. "That's so unlikely it's not worth discussing. The army is on our side. The people are on our side, or soon will be. Our principal opponents will be the news media. I think I can cope with them."
The prime minister nodded. "Then I will be happy to welcome my forces home, and thank them for a difficult job well done. And, Madam President...?"
"Yes, Prime Minister?"
"Should you need further assistance, now or in the future, I trust you won't hesitate to ask."
For the first time that day, the president felt a lessening of the burden of her office.
Probably the last time, too.
"I won't, my friend. But I'm as embarrassed -- no, ashamed -- at our non-performance on our own behalf as my predecessor is. It shouldn't have been necessary. I intend to make it unnecessary, if it's in my power to do so. So once again, you have my thanks, and the thanks of our nation, and the fervent hope that nothing like this will ever happen again."
"To either of us, Madam President." The prime minister's gentle accent became more pronounced. "But you must discard your notions of debt. Your country has made it possible for men to be free. For men everywhere to dream of freedom, whatever bondage they currently endure. And for my nation, the sole refuge of a badly oppressed people, to exist at all. We will never forget that. We cannot."
The prime minister raised his hand in silent farewell. The president did the same, and the great screen went dark. She sat unspeaking for a long moment, then turned to the soldier who stood at her side.
"Your prime minister is a great man," she said.
"He thinks rather highly of you, Madam President."
She nodded and rose. "It's a degree of esteem I'll have to try to earn. And now, General Alon," she said, a hand extended, "my thanks to you and your men for saving my country from itself."
The soldier did not take the proffered hand. Instead he came to full attention and executed a micrometrically perfect salute. "No thanks are required, Madam President." He started to turn to leave, stopped, and cocked an eyebrow. "May I leave you with a memento of our alliance?"
"None is required, General."
"Please, Ma'am." He handed her his uniform cap. "I have another. Remember that America is not without friends." With that, he departed.
She turned the cap in her hands. The stylized Star of David, inset with the sword and olive branch of the Israeli Defence Forces, gleamed from its prow. She vowed upon the instant that it would rest upon her desk in the Oval Office for as long as she might sit there.
"Thank You, God," she murmured, "for men of valor and justice. It could only have been nicer if they'd been Americans."
-- The End --
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