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

by John Price

  “Secondly, each Conservator will be trained to train others on proper and civil speech, and how to avoid violating the McAlister Act. I hasten to point out that not every hate speaker will be charged with a felony, especially on their first violation. Identified hate speakers will generally be assigned a CCC Conservator who will work with them to show them how to avoid hate speaking in the future. They will be taught how to refer respectfully to public officials, without verbal attacks. They will receive instruction from their assigned Conservator on how to respect all persons, no matter their race, their sexual orientation or their other differences. This aspect of the job of each CCC Conservator will also obviously require many long hours, fully justifying our nation’s expenditure in their training and wages. Every corps functions best when uniformed, just look at the military and the TSA. Accordingly, each Conservator will be provided with attractive forest green colored uniforms, proudly bearing the official seal of the CCC. The chosen color also bears witness to our Administration’s commitment to a green economy and preserving our environment.

  “Lastly, let me just say that I see a bright future for America under the guidance of the new CCC, just as the CCC helped this nation exit the difficult economic times of the Great Depression. Many Americans of note originally worked for the CCC, including Admiral Rickover, pilot Chuck Yeager, actors Robert Mitchum and Walter Matthau and baseball player Stan Musial. The newly re-created CCC should likewise raise up and mentor future Americans of great note and worth to our nation. I fully expect that the CCC will help usher our nation into a joyful, civil and hate-free future. Once the CCC is established, I am sure that there will be many Americans blessed by the program and there will be other important assignments for the many competent and skilled men, women and young people hired by our nation, which only time will reveal the nature of those assignments as we move forward. Moving forward is what this is all about, which is why I am so proud of the Americans who will work together to bless our nation. God bless them and God bless America. Thanks, Asheville. Thanks, North Carolina.”

  The combined Asheville area high school bands were cued to launch into Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever, which they did with a crashing flurry, accompanied by the cheers of the assembled thousands, many of whom had just caught a vision for a new job, as a CCC Conservator. It was certainly something for them to cheer about, with real unemployment in their area hovering just over 16%.

  FIFTY SEVEN

  Billings, Montana

  “What kind of name is Gunning?” How many times had Gunning Bedford, Jr. heard this question, as a child, even as an adult? What made the name even more unique was the well-known fact in Montana that Gunning Bedford, Jr. was the organizer and President of Montana Gun Owners for the Second Amendment, Inc. ‘What a great name for a gun supporter’, Gunning had often heard. But, of course, he didn’t select his name. His father had been named Gunning Bedford by his father, because as a student of American history, and a conservative, he admired Gunning Bedford, Jr., a Delaware Delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he was an advocate of small states and limited federal government power. Gunning’s dad, unable to think of a better name, bestowed the name of Gunning Bedford, Jr. on his son.

  That son, whom many said looked like Gary Cooper, just couldn’t get over his President desecrating, in his view, an iconic American patriot monument at Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts. He had been wrestling for several months, since the McAlister anti-gun bill had been submitted in Congress, with what he should do as a leader in the Montana gun rights movement. Montana had two U.S. Senators, of course, and only one Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. All three, as would be expected, were adamantly against the McAlister Bill, and had given numerous speeches across the State rallying voters. So, there was little more politically they could have done in Montana. Gunning had an internal ‘itching’, he later called it, to do something more, anything, to try and stop Congress from passing the McAlister Bill. But, what could they have done? He had invested hours patiently enduring long meetings, and then more hours of late night meetings with what he affectionately called his ‘posse’, the fellow members of his Montana gun rights organization. They saw the danger coming, they followed the news every day, they knew they could lose their right to keep and bear arms, no matter what the Second Amendment to the Constitution said, but they didn’t know what else they could do.

  Some argued for armed resistance. Others cited the Biblical admonition to submit to earthly authorities. Some said that Congress would never pass the bill because the White House didn’t have the votes. Once it passed, others counseled waiting to see if the Supreme Court would overturn McAlister, hoping the high court would find the new law unconstitutional. Then Gunning Bedford, Jr. saw his President desecrate the Minuteman monument at Old North Bridge in Concord, while celebrating the end of the Redemption Period under the anti-gun law. Gunning thought that the official Presidential ceremony at that particular sacred location went too far in rubbing the nose of gun owners in what the government had done to their right to own firearms. Then when the Supreme Court affirmed the Constitutionality of McAlister, a new plan began to emerge. Gunning knew he had to assemble his posse of friends and supporters to talk about it.

  FIFTY EIGHT

  Springfield, Missouri

  When Brock Simpson decided in 1979 where to locate the home office of his newly launched trucking company, he picked Springfield, Missouri. It was about half way between St. Louis and Oklahoma City, so it was perfect, he concluded, for basing his semis. When he made the decision he only had one semi-truck and trailer, but since then had grown to over four hundred and fifty. Simpson Interstate, as he eventually named it, had become a good-sized freight hauling company, with annual gross income that he never would have believed possible back in 1979. Another thing he would not have conceived of when he formed his company was that a government employee could attend a meeting of his company’s Board of Directors.

  The green shirted CCC Conservator had arrived at Simpson Interstate’s corporate offices at 8:00 AM. He identified himself to the receptionist. He asked to speak with Brock Simpson prior to the Board meeting to convene at 10 AM, “so that I can let Mr. Simpson know why I’m attending today’s meeting of his Board.” Needless to say, his initial few words created quite a stir at Simpson Interstate, mostly behind closed doors. Brock Simpson’s first reaction was to call in the company’s in house counsel and ask him, “Who the world does this guy think he is? Look on the security monitor. He’s in his nice little green CCC shirt, leafing through our lobby magazines like he has a right to be here. Attend our Board meeting? Is he nuts? This is a private company. We don’t have outside stockholders. I know, I know, I reluctantly took your advice and added some outside Directors, besides the wife and our two sons, but surely that doesn’t open us up to….to….what? I don’t even know what to call this? Governmental inspections, without an appointment? Sticking their nose in our internal management of the….”

  “Brock, if you’ll slow up for a minute….I understand why you’re upset….”

  “Upset? Upset? I’m not just upset, I’m flamin’ ticked off. I’m not gonna let this CCC jerk in my Board meeting and that’s that. He can set in the lobby all day as far as I’m concerned.”

  “Brock, I’m not arguing with you at this point. That may be what we do. But first, I’m going out and talk to this guy and see what he’s got loaded in his barrel. If its spit wads, that’s one thing. We tell him to pound sand. On the other hand, if it’s a 10 gauge magnum shell, well….we’ll just have to see. I’ll be right back after I find out what we’re up against.”

  Brock’s Counsel returned from the lobby within seconds bearing a document that neither one of them wanted to read. It was a letter addressed to CEO Brock Simpson of Simpson Interstate, dated yesterday and signed by a Deputy Attorney General of the United States of America, whose office was in Washington, DC. The letter advised CEO Simpson that the bearer
of the letter was none other than a duly authorized Conservator attached to the Civilian Conservation Corps who had been tasked by his office to pay a visit to his company and to set in on his Company’s Board meeting, which he understood was being held on that day. That was the good part of the letter. The ominous words were found in its second paragraph which read:

  The above designated CCC Conservator is specifically instructed at said meeting of your company’s Board of Directors to record the proceedings, make notes and to obtain copies of all documents considered or reviewed by the Board at said meeting. This is all by way of further advising this office as to the legal basis for its bringing any appropriate charges against the company. Those charges, by way of explanation, but not limitation, could arise from observed violations by your company of the Lawrence McAlister Hate Speech and Hate Weapons Elimination Act. Placement of printed negative attacks against public officials on your company’s over the road vehicles may constitute violation of said Act, and you are advised accordingly.

  If any effort should be made to prevent or impede attendance at your Board meeting by the designated CCC Conservator, this office is prepared to immediately take the appropriate legal steps to require compliance with this demand. You are so advised.

  The rough and tumble trucking industry was well suited for the likes of Brock Simpson. He didn’t get to where he was in the trucking business by being a wuss. Brock Simpson lacked formal education beyond high school, but had acquired more street smarts than the average business executive. At six foot and just over two hundred and sixty pounds he would, without too much provocation, yank off his jacket, roll up his sleeves and prepare to duke it out, if necessary. Though he was in his sixties, he still didn’t shy away from a fight. On the other hand, his in-house counsel, who was also his favorite nephew, generally could get his attention when it came to legal matters. He could instill a calming influence, largely because he had been right so often in the past and saved Brock Simpson many thousands of dollars over the years. A calming influence, however, was not what his counsel/nephew was having on Brock Simpson at this point in time.

  “I don’t care what the Attorney General, or his Deputy, or any other of his lackeys threaten me with….I’m not gonna do it. They can throw me in jail….I’m not letting this green-shirted government snoop attend my Board meeting. Not….happening. Got it? Go back out and tell him it will take more than an eight and a half by eleven inch white sheet of paper to get him or any other government goon into my company’s Board meetings. That’s settled.”

  After trying to reason with his uncle/client/employer, Brock Simpson’s nephew/counsel/employee had not changed his mind. He realized he needed to bring in additional firepower, so he convinced his client to speak with the Washington, DC law firm the company used on occasion on federal regulatory issues. That conversation only took twenty minutes, during which Brock Simpson was convinced that he had no choice, he had to allow his uninvited visitor to attend today’s Board meeting. He didn’t like it, but he liked the possible penalties and repercussions even less.

  Because of all that had taken place the Meeting of the nine members of the Board of Directors of Simpson Interstate convened late. Brock Simpson called the meeting to order. “OK, we’re convened for our monthly Board meeting. Uh….I think….uh….by now….you’ve probably all been told that we have an uninvited visitor here today from the CCC. I’ve been told to make no comments about this matter…. to just allow him to set in and record the meeting if he wants…..”

  “Mr. Simpson,” the CCC Conservator interrupted, “I am recording this meeting….every…. word….spoken….Thank you.”

  Brock Simpson’s face flushed as he fought down the impulse to throw his government visitor through the plate glass window that looked out over the company parking lot. His nephew seated next to him gently squeezed his uncle’s arm. He leaned over and whispered, “Brock, don’t let him get you mad, that’s apparently what he wants. He’s probably been told you have a short fuse.”

  Brock Simpson waited until he could calm down. He was on medication to control his occasional heart arrhythmia, but he knew that stress like this meeting could cause erratic heart pulse, in spite of his meds. He told himself that this was not worth a stroke or a heart attack. Just as quickly, he thought that if defending everything he’d fought for years isn’t worth blowing out a heart valve, what is? Nevertheless, after swallowing most of a 16 ounce bottle of water, he moved on.

  “Let’s look at this month’s agenda that Sharon put together for us. Thanks, Sharon, you always do a great job. The first item on the agenda is a review of last month’s gross billings, returns and gross expen….”

  “Excuse me, Mr. Simpson. Don’t mean to interrupt….but….We have an item that we have been asked to bring up at today’s Board meeting that appears to take precedence over the items listed on your agenda.”

  “Stop….STOP…. First of all, who is the ‘we’ that you speak of? Secondly, what makes you think that you can control what we do as a Board at our meeting? Thirdly, what makes you think you can decide what takes….what was your word….precedence? Over our agenda items? I’ve just about had enough of this….”

  “If I may respond, Mr. Simpson. The ‘we’ you asked about is the government of the United States of America, for whom I work. The importance of what I have been asked to raise at today’s Board meeting is simply this. This company has a pattern and practice of displaying words, slogans, catchy phrases, if you will, on the rear-end of its many semi-trailers. Those words are seen by potentially millions of Americans as they drive our nation’s highways.”

  “So? Now you’re gonna tell us what we can paint on our own trucks? Is that this is all about? A few funny phrases that your bosses in DC may not like? This is flat ridicu….”

  “Many motorists, Mr. Simpson, have been offended by your latest ‘funny phrase’, as you put it. How does it go? Oh, wait, I can read it on the back of that semi-trailer parked out there in the lot, WHAT DO THE PRESIDENT AND KARL MARX HAVE IN COMMON? You think that’s a ‘funny phrase’ Mr. Simpson? Members of the Board?

  “And what about the ‘funny phrases’ used in the Presidential election? IF WE GIVE HIM A SECOND TERM, AMERICA WON’T HAVE A SECOND CHANCE. Or, JANUARY 20 - THE END OF AN ERROR. Or, ONE AND DONE. Or what about the phrase you used earlier in the midst of the stimulus fight, DON’T TELL THE PRESIDENT WHAT’S AFTER A TRILLION. Care to justify any of these? Anyone?”

  Brock Simpson’s wife, Delilah, had labored along with her husband in building their company. Though short in stature, she was not known to be a quiet or reserved person. She couldn’t restrain herself and jumped in, “Mister whatever your name is….let me tell you this….this is our company. We will put what we want to on our trucks, as long as it’s not profanity, of course. So you can just….”

  “Mrs. Simpson, not to interrupt, but that’s the whole point of the McAlister Act. You can’t negatively attack public officials. That’s a use of hate words. If hate words are used, the government can levy substantial fines, or as you may know, criminal charges can be filed. What this company appears to have done is use hate words on its trucks, in violation of the law.”

  The company’s counsel interjected, “We don’t agree that they’re hate words or that they are illegal in any way, but McAlister wasn’t effective in earlier years, nor in the recent election cycle. So there could be no liability for….”

  “We’ll let the Department of Justice lawyers figure all that out, counsel. But, there’s no question, in our opinion, that the words I am reading on your truck as we sit in this conference room today are hate words, they violate the McAlister Act and your company should be fined in a large enough amount to make you stop violating the law. If that won’t work, then stiffer penalties can be filed, as we all know. I don’t have anything else really to say, except that I see looking down to item six on your agenda that there is this entry, DISCUSSION OF IDIOTIC TRUCKING REGULATORY CHANGES PROPOSED BY THE WHITE H
OUSE.

  “That could easily be construed to be hate words, calling the nations’ CEO an idiot, and also in violation of the McAlister Act. You can be sure I’ll include that in my report and recommendations to the DOJ….I’m done. I just hope this company, after it is penalized, sees the light and decides to comply with today’s laws. It’s not 1979 anymore folks. This is a new era.”

  After the CCC Conservator left the room, Brock Simpson said, “I think what he should have said is that we’re living in a new error. Who would have ever thought it would come to this? God have mercy on us.”

  FIFTY NINE

  Helena, Montana – Montana State House

  His somewhat worn and tarnished badge said MONTANA STATE HOUSE SECURITY. His hair was white and his shoulders were slightly sloped. His uniform appeared to have been originally purchased for a larger man. Once he reached retirement age, he had been assigned the weekend shift so he could supplement his social security income. The elderly guard preferred the weekend shift because his childhood sweetheart bride had passed on, which left his Saturdays and Sundays empty and lonely. The weekend shift this time of year was notorious for inducing sleep, as the legislature wasn’t meeting and State employed bureaucrats didn’t generally work outside of Monday through Friday. He was armed, but he had not been to a firing range for several years.

  There are several entry doors to the Montana State House. After 9/11 it was decided that foot traffic into the building should be limited to two doors, one for the general public, with metal detectors, and one coming from the closest parking lot limited to government officials and employees, with appropriate ID. On the weekend, the general access door was padlocked. Anyone wishing to enter the State House had to access the building through the officials’ door, showing their ID to the aged security guard. The guard was well known to anyone with an ID, and he was always good for a friendly welcome to the Capitol building.