Second Term - A Novel of America in the Last Days (The End of America Series Book 1) (8 page)

SIXTEEN

Oval
Office – White House

Washington,
DC

“Five, four, three,
two…..” Thus, the White House media coordinator counted down the clock prior to
the President’s address to the nation from the Oval Office. America’s broadcast
and cable media aired the President’s prime time address, an event expected to
be watched by a record audience. Most media led into the White House breaking
news event by re-playing video footage of the shootings in Dallas.

“My fellow
Americans….I address you tonight as your President….but also as your Commander
in Chief. I do so, as it is increasingly obvious that what America is now
facing requires me to assume more of my military role, my Constitutional role
as Commander in Chief, than my domestic role as President. As you know, I have
tried to calm those who have been demonstrating and protesting in our streets.
I have urged Americans to settle their disputes at town hall meetings, letters
to the editors, blogs and, yes, especially future elections. Many Americans
have come into our streets to protest the shootings in Dallas of federal
officials, myself included. In response to these inexcusable acts of gun
violence, many have themselves reacted violently, fearing that they will lose
their right to carry hate weapons, also known as guns. I will address this
critical issue in greater depth shortly.

“Unfortunately, I
must acknowledge what every American now knows. We may well be on the brink of
a Second Civil War. It pains me to use those three words, but I must
acknowledge that what is occurring in our country, as we speak, has that
potential. In my Administration’s study and evaluation of what has brought us
to this stage, and what we must do now to solve the problem of violence, we
looked at what one of my predecessors in this office did when he was faced with
similar problems.

At the studios of Fox
News Shane Harrison turned to his talk show’s producer, turning both thumbs
down. “Kevin, I told our viewers this would happen last month. I knew he would
do this once he started referring so often to Abe Lincoln in his speeches. You
watch, he’s about to use violence as an excuse to declare martial law, just
like Lincoln. Just watch.”

“I am referring, as
students of American history know, to our great 16
^th
President,
Abraham Lincoln, whose bust I display proudly in my office, as you can see
behind me. Not all Americans, though, may know that when Abraham Lincoln saw
his nation falling apart he took strong legal steps to make sure that our
nation survived. We can learn from President Lincoln’s example.

“President Lincoln
decided soon after coming into office, in April, 1861, that he needed to
preserve the Union. He issued several orders before Congress convened in July.
He increased the size of the Army and Navy, he bought weapons, he started a
blockade and he temporarily suspended habeas corpus. He called forth the
militia to ‘suppress combinations’ of persons who sought to rebel against the
government. And….he also declared martial law.

“I know that many
people get nervous when they hear the phrase ‘martial law’, but martial law has
been declared in this country not only by President Lincoln, but also in 1941
by the Territorial Governor of Hawaii and in 1942 by the Department of War in four
States, California, Oregon, Washington and Arizona. At least three Governors
have declared martial law in their States, Texas, Alabama and Ohio, all in the
last century. For those unacquainted with the phrase, it simply means a way to
control violence in society during periods of war or civil unrest. I think we
would all agree that we are in a period of increasing civil unrest, which must
and will be controlled.

“Some may ask, why
not just let local and state law enforcement agencies control this rising
resistance to the government in our streets? The answer, of course, is that
we’ve tried that in many cities across the country and it hasn’t always worked.
I have reluctantly concluded that there is an urgent need to declare martial
law, to be temporary, until we can control the gun violence in America. At this
time I will not suspend Constitutional rights, such as habeas corpus, or
assembly, or speech nor will I impose national curfews, though that could all
change if the facts and events of the future so demand. The Executive Order
that I have signed this evening only declares martial law. The armed forces of
these United States, and the Department of Homeland Security, will ensure that
order is restored and that peace prevails. I am instructing the Governors of
the states to stand down from their legal duties regarding peace and order
within their respective states.

“With the truly
unfortunate passing of our nation’s Vice President, and my friend, Lawrence
McAlister, we have reached the stage in this nation that we finally have to
deal with the inordinate number of guns that are used every day to kill
Americans. Most of you know that to honor the memory of our fallen Vice
President, Congress is now considering a new law which would ban hate weapons,
along with the hate speech that leads so often to the use of hate weapons. I
urge you to write and call your Senators and Congressman and urge them to
quickly consider and pass this bill. My commitment to you is that once I use my
pen to sign the McAlister bill into law, I will the same day use the same pen
to revoke my order declaring martial law. Once we are safe from gun killings,
we will no longer need martial law in America. Some will argue that this new
law violates the Constitution, but let me assure you that nothing could be
further from the truth.”

Shane Harrison
punched his producer in the arm, saying “See, Kevin.
‘Nothing could be
further from the truth’
. Whenever you hear a politician use that phrase you
know you’re about to be lied to. There go the First and the Second Amendments.”

“My desire to see the
violence in America come to an end is my primary motivation in following
President Lincoln’s example in declaring martial law. Accordingly, under my
Executive Order imposing martial law, on a temporary basis, I have instructed
the Joint Chiefs of Staff to place the appropriate military assets in each
State beginning tonight. The DHS will assign workers where needed. My office
has called each Governor immediately before this broadcast informing them of my
Order, and designating the ranking Generals of the United States Army who will
be acting in their States to secure the peace. I, of course, expect the full
and complete cooperation of each Governor. All Americans expect no less.”

“Oh yeah,” Shane
observed, “like the Governors will have any choice in the matter, with a U. S.
Army General sitting at their desk.”

“These are perilous
times, my fellow Americans, but we have the ability to meet and conquer
seemingly insurmountable difficulties. This is not a foreign war nor a natural
disaster. It’s a problem of our own making. It can be solved by Americans of
good will. We must pull together, lest we pull apart. I will not allow America
to continue to pull apart, which is why I have taken the action that I have
discussed with you tonight. The violence and the hate must stop. Thank you for
listening. God bless you and God bless America.”

SEVENTEEN

FOX
NEWS STUDIOS - NEW YORK CITY

Shane Harrison slammed
his hand down on the remote to the studio monitor, terminating the Presidential
video feed. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard emerge from the lips of
the nation’s Chief Executive. It was his task to explain to viewers of Fox News
the meaning of those words. For many months he had been a fierce critic of the
President, and during the campaign had labeled his nightly program the ‘Retire
the President Express’. Tonight Shane knew he had his work cut out for him, as
he would have to control his well-known anger, while at the same time trying to
explain what had just happened to his country.

“Well….folks….you all
heard what I just heard. The question, of course, is what does it all mean? How
will you be affected by these extraordinary acts of our President? I mean….have
we just lost our Constitution? Do our civil rights have any meaning, anymore?
Is this a blatant example of ‘never letting a good crisis go to waste?’ Is this
a vast federal government over-reaction to what is actually just a local law
enforcement issue in most cases? Could this have been avoided? Can the
President legally do what he has just done? Lots of questions….very serious
questions….all demanding answers. We’ll provide those answers from our panel of
experts assembled here at Fox, where the news is always unbiased and accurate.
We give you the news, then you make up your own mind.

“Joining us tonight
to try and sort all this out are Rick Norris, Chuck Krausenheimer and Carl
Amble. Two former Presidential staff members and America’s foremost political
columnist. Let’s start with you Carl. When you worked at the White House, do
you recall if President Bush ever considered imposing Martial Law?”

“No, never
happened….Shane, I’m aghast at what we just heard. Sure, there were rumors he
might do it, but who would have believed that this President would
really
do it? This speech and the President’s declaration of martial law is
extraordinary….very frightening. He points to Lincoln’s declaration of martial
law, but that was in a Civil War, Tens of thousands Americans were killing tens
of thousands Americans, in a
war
. Is
that
where we’re headed?”

“Rick, what about
President Clinton? When you worked for him did you ever hear any discussion of
martial law?”

“Of course not. Only
Lincoln, of all the Presidents, ever took such an incredible action. What the President
failed to mention is that Congress at first opposed Lincoln’s 1861 martial law
declaration. Congress claimed that only it could suspend the writ of habeas
corpus. The issue went to the Supreme Court, which agreed with Congress, which
by then had decided to ratify Lincoln’s actions. So, there’s a real legal
question as to whether the President can do what he did tonight.”

“Chuck, your
thoughts?”

“I won’t get into the
legality of what he’s done. I’d rather discuss why he declared martial law Obviously
he didn’t have to do it. We have state and local law enforcement personnel at
every level of society who are well able to handle a little civil unrest and….”

But, Chuck, what
about the President’s point that he has tried that and it didn’t work. That the
violence is out of control?”

“Rick, we both know
that’s baloney. Sure, there have been demonstrations, and some pretty extensive
bloodshed in some areas, but his supporters are as much to blame as anyone.
Look, this whole martial law power grab, which is exactly what it is, is an
attempt to push Congress to pass the McAlister bill into law, while holding
down dissent from Americans who want to keep their guns, and their right of
free speech.”

Shane saw the floor
director’s signal that they were up against a hard commercial break.
“Gentlemen, we have to go to a break, but let me just say that Chuck just
framed this debate. Is the President’s declaration of martial law tonight a
thinly veiled attempt to
shut up
America’s gun owners while Congress
takes
away
their Constitutional rights? Will it work? Will you keep quiet?
More….after the break.”

EIGHTEEN

Private Living
Quarters – White House

Washington, DC

Though Washington was
under a heavy late December snowfall, since it was a Saturday, getting through
traffic to the White House was not a problem for the Chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission. The Chairman of the FCC, Chadwick Cummins, was a
long-time friend of the President, having worked as media and legal advisor in
each of his campaigns. He didn’t show up officially as media advisor in the
just finished Presidential campaign, as he had been serving as FCC Chairman
since shortly after the President’s First Inauguration. Chairman Cummins was
loyal to a fault to his good friend in the White House. The President and
Chadwick, had through the years watched together, enjoying Buds and Brats,
nearly every NFL game by  their favorite team, the Bears. The President knew
that if he needed anything, anything at all, from the FCC Chairman, that
Chadwick could be counted on to gladly comply.

 The Commission, by
law, could have no more than three of its five members from one political
party. The Chairman and the two Democratic Party members were all that were
needed to adopt binding rules and regulations, as a majority controlled all
proceedings of the FCC. Now that the McAlister Bill had been drafted and would
be considered by the upcoming Congress, the President was ready to call on
Chairman Cummins to do some advance planning for its implementation after the
adoption of the bill, assuming that the bill passed and became law. Chairman
Cummins was more than ready to be of assistance to his friend.

The FCC regulations
that would rock the nation a few months later started as just ideas kicked
around during the half time of the Bears versus Saints game in the private
living quarters of the White House. “Chad, what would you think about applying
McAlister, if it passes, to Rush, and Beck and the other radio and cable
yappers, most of those guys at Fox? I have to admit they get on my nerves. They
were like non-stop megaphones for my opponent, using the public airwaves, no
less. They caused a lot of the street violence with their constant hateful
words. It’s just not right.to use the broadcast spectrum that every American
owns, to attack one political party, or to smear one candidate, in this case,
me, of course. A lot of what they say could be construed as hate speech, don’t
you think?”

“Let me work on it.
We’re both assuming you’ve got the votes to get McAlister through the House.
Before McAlister, there would probably have been little hope. But….if the bill
becomes law, we may have a way to shut these guys up, or at least seriously
slow them down. As I recall, McAlister’s anti-hate speech section prohibits
hate speech and negative attacks on public officials. Most people are tired of
all the political negativity on those talk shows and, of course, in political
commercials.”

“True that, Chad, I
saw a focus group analysis in the campaign that showed that most viewers of
political TV ads are fed up with one politician attacking his or her opponent,
with lurid, nasty commercials. Though they do work, of course.”

“Blevins tells me
that he thinks he will have enough support to include the ban on negative
attacks on public officials. It
ought
to be popular with the public
officials who can just vote to protect themselves from being criticized. The
ban won’t apply to candidates for office, just public officials, so it would be
another incumbent protection provision in the law. But, assuming Congress
passes McAlister, do you still feel that the Supremes will uphold it?”

“It’s
a bit of a hurdle, but with Sheila on the Court, Chad, we should be 5-4 to
uphold the new law. Before Sheila, there wouldn’t have been much chance, given
that negatively attacking a public official is the essence of free speech. I
used to teach that. Justice Hugo Black in the famous New York Times vs.
Sullivan case wrote that, let’s see if I can remember his statement, I taught
it enough times, I should recall it by heart. He said, ‘
An unconditional
right to say what one pleases about public affairs is what I consider to be the
minimum guarantee of the First Amendment."
 
But, that was then, and this is
now. Justice Newton will come through, and McAlister will be the law of the
land. Bless her little rainbow colored heart.”

“I like Sheila, she’s
gonna’ be a dependable vote on the Court for decades. Pass me over those
pretzels, please.”

“Sheila’s vote on the
Court is exactly why I think the FCC can do what needs to be done to shut down
the nuts on talk radio and their hate talk. Come up with something, with some
teeth. The Court’ll back you up, 5-4, which is all we ever need. By the way, at
least for now I don’t want to do anything about the print media, nobody reads
them anymore, anyway. By the way, you know, Chad, this is the same room in the
White House where George W choked on a pretzel, also watching football in fact,
so be careful.”

“I will, thanks.
Wouldn’t look good for the FCC Chairman to choke to death in the Executive
Mansion. Think what the conspiracy theorists would do with that….As I said,
I’ll get to work on it. We’ve got some very smart lawyers now in the Office of
FCC Counsel who can draft up something that will pass muster with Sheila and
her four soul-mates. We’ll be ready once McAlister is passed by Congress,
signed by you and affirmed by the Supreme Court. While we’re at it, how about
we also do something about all the hate that’s spewed across the internet on
any given day? I’ve seen a ton of nasty stuff accusing you of about everything
a person could be accused of. There needs to be some control on all that
vitriol and poison that spews across the publicly-regulated internet. Google
has been limiting content on government request for some time. We should extend
the concept to all politically objectionable content. Those wires and airwaves
are owned by the public, you know, not the wingnuts. We need to extend our
control over the internet, even more than some of the recent legislation doing
so. There’s too much political negativity on the net.”

“Agreed, but you’ll
have to be careful. When China shut down some internet communications, they
caught a lot of heat. You need to couch it in terms of not only just enforcing
McAlister, but also protecting Americans from hate material. Anybody who’s ever
used the internet knows how looney it can get, so we may have less push back
than you might think. Maybe we can get our Euro buddies to crank up some
content restrictions on their internet servers a little before we do, so we can
follow Euro precedent.”

“I’ve gotten to know
some of those guys over the last few years. I’ll make some calls.”

“Do that, Chad. Let
me know what your legal geeks come up with. Oh, man….look at that!….You
know
that was pass interference….How could that ref not call….? He had his arm
hooked….that was a homer call, for sure.”