The Iran War
Page 39
This woman is amazing. I never realized she possessed so much strength…so much faith.
Taking a slightly more formal tone, President Brentwood stared intensely at LaHue and said, “Now, Mr. Secretary, I am sure that you are aware that President Wolfe and I did not necessarily agree on every political matter, though I was a great supporter of many of his recent actions. In particular, I supported his decisive actions to root out those individuals in this nation who mean us harm.
Your department has done the Lord’s work as far as I am concerned. I refuse to allow a single man, woman, or child to lose their lives because I was too weak to strike down those who seek to bring our great people harm.”
LaHue’s survival instincts started kicking in as he suddenly felt that perhaps he might not be needing that letter in his pocket. He nodded enthusiastically back and said, “Madame President, I could not agree more. The media has painted our actions to protect the country in an unfair manner, but I can assure you that my agents continue to soldier on to defend this country.”
Those soft and friendly eyes of Brentwood narrowed, and her tone became even more serious when she said, “Well, Secretary LaHue, I am glad to hear you feel this way because there is much work to be done here in the homeland. The American people are tired of these foreign wars and never-ending entanglements with folks around the world who hate us. I plan on placing American interests - the peoples’ interest - above all other things, but many here at home will disagree specially in those islands of blue and actively seek to undermine the actions that I have in mind. Are you prepared to remain in your present position and continue serving your country?”
LaHue delivered a resounding, “Yes, Ma’am. Whatever you need me and my people to do, we will get it done.”
“There is a great divide within our nation, and I fear that a war here at home, Mr. Secretary, is now upon us. I fully intend to lead this nation to the greatness it so richly deserves, but I will need individuals willing to do whatever it takes to help me in my vision for this land. As far as I am concerned, our wars abroad have come to an end. The war for America’s soul, however, has just begun.”
Author’s Note
The Iran War is a novel and one that I hope you enjoyed reading, but it’s clearly intended as a cautionary tale. I believe there is a profound divide in American society, and it has been growing for the past three decades. This is not a natural divide, in fact, I believe that the majority of Americans have far more in common than we are led to believe. A farmer from Kansas, a miner from West Virginia, a rancher from Montana, a construction worker from Dallas, a cook from Boston, a barista from Seattle all share so many daily life experiences…challenges…hopes for their children and dreams for a better tomorrow.
How did we get to the point that I no longer disagree with my neighbor or fellow American on the other side of the country on a political or social issue, now I see them as not just wrong, but something far more sinister…a racist, a feminazi…an illegal…a redneck…ugly labels intended to sow discard and division? When has name-calling ever led to unity…to solutions…to a stronger community? Never.
We have a predatory news media complex that seeks profit over truth and highly skilled political operatives lavished with unlimited war chests who engage in non-stop propaganda that feeds the malignant identity politics that both political parties use to gain temporary political advantage. Has the country gained from this divisiveness and ugly language that is routinely used to malign and destroy fellow Americans? I think not.
We live now in a time of tremendous long-term challenges (China, an aging population, immigration, climate change, the unprecedented and dangerous concentration of wealth, etc.) and short-term crisis’s yet to occur and as this divide grows, how are we to rise to these challenges. The early Framers knew that the greatest danger facing our republic was not from challenges abroad, but from faction and partisanship here at home.
Whether or not we can rise above this divide and heal our political system will tell the story of an America that grows stronger in the years and decades ahead or it will be a story of anger, conflict, and a slow decay. I hope that novels like this can play some small role that brings about some reflection and begin a conversation to move us forward together regardless of party.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank those people who provided the encouragement and support necessary to complete this novel. First and foremost, I want to thank my wonderful and loving wife for all her love and support, and it was far more than just moral. She was my first reader, the first to hear about characters and plotlines, the first to listen when I had my doubts about finishing, but most importantly for giving me her thoughts and feedback that played such an important part of the final version. I also have to offer up some thanks to all my kids for their willingness to deal with a sometimes grumpy Dad, locked away in the office, trying to punch out just a few more pages. You can start cashing in on some of those promises and side deals now.
Next, I want to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to a group of people who were willing to read the manuscript and offer me their thoughts and opinions that were so helpful and necessary to complete this book. First amongst this notable group is my friend of twenty five years, Al Turano. Al’s detailed feedback and tough questions truly helped to shape this novel plus his upbeat and encouraging words never failed to help keep me going to the finish line. Next, my tremendously talented colleague at the University, Prof John Kilker, noted independent filmmaker, outstanding professor, and a writer in his own right offered a detailed eye and was always willing to hear me out when the creative process was getting me down. Lastly, Julee Modzelewski, the person who helps keep the Communication Department at the U of Scranton humming like a fine oiled machine, acted as both a reader and editor through this journey. Her feedback was great and her attention to detail helped take a rough manuscript into what I believe is a final product that I can be proud to offer readers. Though I will add that ultimately any errors or mistakes are my own and I take ownership of them.
One more person deserves to be mentioned, my mother, Lucille Strain who came across part of the manuscript one day, picked it up, started reading and before I knew it was encouraging me to write faster because she wanted to know what was going to happen. So thanks as always mom for being there for me.