by John Price
“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 16th 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 t
o 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.”
NINETEEN
White House - Oval Office
; “Her people all roar like young lions, they growl like lion cubs…one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.”
(Jeremiah 51:38, 46)
Since Hilde Calhoun’s confirmation as Vice President, replacing the deceased Lawrence McAlister, the President had virtually no contact with the Vice President. It wasn’t that Hilde Calhoun didn’t try to spend some time with the President. It was just that each request was rebuffed with varying explanations – he was still healing from his ‘shooting’, he needed time with his family, he had to consult with his staff, etc., etc. But no appointment. It was obvious to the Vice President that she was being purposely shut out, probably she thought, by that Vivian Higgins, or even the First Lady. Hilde’s inside the White House sources had divulged to her that the two women closest to the President had strongly opposed her selection as Vice President.
Hilde had an internal engine. She relied on it often during the years she put up with Wilbur. It helped her when she decided to run for the Senate. She thought it had failed her, though, when she ran against the President in a bruising national primary election, only to lose in what she saw as a humiliating defeat, even though Wilbur had assured her that she would someday sit in the big chair in the Oval Office. Ever since the President sent federal troops to the states her internal engine had told her that something was drastically wrong. She raised her objections with the President, as well as she could, but as the second person in the west wing, the newest to building and more importantly, because she was only there due to number one, she had to be careful how loud she objected. During the campaign, after she had been dumped for Vice President and Larry McAlister was the chosen candidate, she almost went public with an attack on the President’s tactics to quell violence in the streets. When the President declared martial law, her engine screamed that she needed to oppose the use of federal troops, to stand against the use of American soldiers against American citizens. But, reality set in, so she continued to restrict her opinions to whispering frequently into Wilbur’s coma-silenced ears.