Chapter 125

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WASHINGTON, D.C.

With the Presidential approval rating now standing at 18% in the most recent poll, the Haskill Administration today announced the replacement of political advisor, Tom Hanneman, long time friend and confidant of the President. Mr. Hanneman has moved from the Washington area to accept a position with an unnamed consulting firm.

The Administration indicated that Raliegh Van Sythe, Chairman of the Republican National Committee will provide the President with planning and political advice for the upcoming campaign.

UNITED NATIONS, N.Y.

China's Ambassador to the United Nations, Joul Li Chang, today expressed his government's extreme concern with the entry of the UCFC Candidate, Martha Stratton, into the Presidential Election. Citing difficulties with religious governments in neighboring Pakistan and India, The People's Rebublic made the following statement on the floor of the General Assembly.

"The People of China cooperated as a disinterested associate during the tomb's verification. In return for this we will now likely face a religious Christian Administration in Washington. China still bears the scars of exploitation, both religious, social and economic from abuses of this unfortunate religion in centuries past. Consequently, the People's Republic views such a possibility as a grave development in relations between our two nations."

Chapter 126

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GLOBAL IUP WIRE SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C.

With the Presidential approval rating now standing at 18% in the most recent poll, the Haskill Administration today announced the replacement of political advisor, Tom Hanneman, long time friend and confidant of the President. Mr. Hanneman has moved from the Washington area to accept a position with an unnamed consulting firm.

The Administration indicated that Raliegh Van Sythe, Chairman of the Republican National Committee will provide the President with planning and political advice for the upcoming campaign.

UNITED NATIONS, N.Y.

China's Ambassador to the United Nations, Joul Li Chang, today expressed his government's extreme concern with the entry of the UCFC Candidate, Martha Stratton, into the Presidential Election. Citing difficulties with religious governments in neighboring Pakistan and India, The People's Rebublic made the following statement on the floor of the General Assembly.

"The People of China cooperated as a disinterested associate during the tomb's verification. In return for this we will now likely face a religious Christian Administration in Washington. China still bears the scars of exploitation, both religious, social and economic from abuses of this unfortunate religion in centuries past. Consequently, the People's Republic views such a possibility as a grave development in relations between our two nations."

Chapter 127

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MARK OF GOD RALLY, THE MALL, WASHINGTON, D.C.

On the appointed day, Pastor Stratton had his Rolls Royce and his mistress, Lolly Harshaw flown to Washington, D.C. via air freight. Happily, Lolly didn't know the difference between a cargo plane and a private jet.

Pastor Stratton himself accompanied his primary advisor, Ted Harper, in the luxurious executive craft. It was hoped that this might accomplish several objectives. Far most important of them was that the little jet's bar had 'accidentally' not been stocked, thus more or less guaranteeing that the Pastor would be relatively sober at his announcement speech. The flight also provided one last opportunity for the illiterate man of God to rehearse his lines. That hadn't gone all that well while the candidate had been in California. Finally, the quiet time during the journey east could be used to calm the little man down a little. He was, frankly, a mess.

"Goddamn Harper! I sure could use a damned drink! I want you to find out who the hell done that and fire his ass! For Christ's sake I'm 'bout as nervous as a slow snake at a square dance!" Pastor Stratton paced the cramped little aisle. "I'd also like to know just who in hell figured Lolly ain't goin' ride with us!"

"Pastor, we need to start getting you dressed. We're about an hour out of Dulles, and you've got to look your best when you get off the plane." Harper said as he produced a new suit tailored with a country western cut. "You're going to look really good in this. Why don't you get this clean shirt on and get rid of everything else except your underwear. Have you tried on your new boots?"

Stratton, dutifully stripping, looked over his shoulder at Harper. "Them boots ain't bad. I like the decorations on them old ones better, but these here's good for walkin' around."

As the dressing process went along, Pastor Buck Stratton slowly began to look as good as he possibly could. The man had never really spoken before a live audience other than the twelve or fifteen "Amen clappers" who would constitute the live audience for his radio sermons. The crowd at the Washington Monument was waiting, almost two million strong, for their first chance to see and hear him. His unlikely popularity had been the laughing stock of the evangelical community as he rose to fame. With ninety million committed followers, no one was laughing now, Harper thought to himself. This funny little man had millions of dollars and millions of people. The only question was whether he had anything to say. Ted Harper felt a emptiness in his chest as he considered this.

Surveying his handiwork, Harper was pleased. Stratton looked anything but Presidential, but he was definitely himself. The suit was light tan. The Pastor said that black looked like a funeral. Against all arguments, he had decided to wear his cowboy hat. His mirrored sunglasses, like the bar stock for the jet, had been 'accidentally' mislaid. Whatever he did, whatever he said, he would make eye contact.

"Remember to wave and smile while we're getting off the plane. There are about a thousand reporters and photographers waiting in a pack. Be careful not to look at the flash bulbs if there are any." Ted Harper gave last minute instructions. "I'll be right behind you. The idea is to get into our limousine as fast as possible, but not to look like we're in a hurry."

"Harper, I'm about tired of you bossin' me ever which way. Matter of fact, I'm 'bout wonderin' what you and that damned Jew boy's up to with this whole goddamned thing. They ain't no damned way you two should'a been able to talk me into nothin' like this here! You think Lolly's goin' to hear me talk? It'd be awful her hearin' me make a fool out of myself." The nervous little man rambled as the door of the jet opened.

A few hundred photographs and a written press release saying next to nothing satisfied the mob of reporters at the airport. The attention was therapeutic to the ever humble Pastor Buck Stratton. His moment of terror passed quickly as he fully realized that he was the center of all attention. He beamed as he waved silently from the stair of the jet.

Once in the car, the morale boosting resumed. "See how well you handled all those people? You're going to do fine. You know enough of your speech to be able to fall back on it anytime you need to. We both know your great strength comes from saying what's in your heart. So just warm them up with a nice mix of speech and sermon. They'll love it. It can be pretty much like it is on the radio." Harper said as he nervously looked out the windows of the Rolls. The Mark of God crew in the city government had arranged to add four motorcycle policemen which gave an image of legitimacy to what would otherwise have been a simple drive across town. Washingtonians were so jaded at the sight of escorted limousines that hardly anyone looked up as they passed.

"Damn it! Now I gotta pee! Harper we gotta stop at a Quickie Mart or somewheres before I give this speech!" the Pastor suddenly blurted out.

Ted Harper sighed to himself. Any confidence the Pastor had received at the airport had evaporated. Stratton'sStratton. We have a nice air conditioned trailer waiting for you. There's a bathroom in there along with everything you'll need to get ready." Harper was saving the surprise of the make-up man for later. Stratton was far too pale for camera presence without make up, and with two million people there, the cameras would definitely be rolling.

Even though the Rolls parked as close as possible to the trailers, an army of rented security surrounded Stratton and Harper until they were inside. These arrangements represented more the concern that the Pastor could be trampled by admirers than any probability of attack.

After relieving himself, Stratton was ushered into a make up chair. "This ain't a bad little trailer, Harper. You know I used to live in a damned trailer, back when old Martha was around." he said with a distant tone.

"Hey! Let's stay up beat. There's no need to drag all that stuff out now. Pastor, I want you to let Larry here give you just the least possible amount of make up. It'll make you look good on camera. And we do need to look good, don't we?" Harper slid the suggestion to the little man in the chair.

"You ain't gonna make me look like no damned faggot, Harper! That right there's why I never done no FM radio. I hate that shit! Television neither!" Stratton exploded. "Anyways, WE don't gotta look good anyways 'cause you ain't gonna even be there. It's gonna be ME, Harper! ME! That's who, 'n I ain't wearing none of that there crap 'n lipstick CRAP!"

Standing up, Stratton continued, "I ain't doin' shit for you nor nobody else neither! Why would I? I'm givin' this here speech for ME, Harper! That right there's why folks wants me to be President so much! Here we are, five minutes from speech time, and you ain't helpin' nothin'. And you can just sit right there and watch me wear them sunglasses while I'm talking -- them sunglasses our driver Bill done give me after you lied about forgettin' them other ones"

When the time came the short little fat man with the red face bravely marched along with a contingent of security men as if he were leaving his cell on death row for the last time. Harper followed far enough behind to hopefully not irritate his fragile ego any further, but still close enough to see his face turn white as a sheet at the first sight of the multitude gathered to hear him. After an introduction by a woman unknown to Stratton or Harper, the moment came.

"I want to thank you all for comin'. We ain't never really met personal or such, so I'll just introduce myself. I'm Pastor Buck Stratton, and I'm the guy on the other end of them radio shows."

Harper was cautiously hopeful. Stratton seemed to be composed and cogent. Lolly Harshaw sat in the front row beaming, giggling in constant flirtation with Stratton Ministries Head of Security, Claude Swackheimer. The entire crowd rose to their feet to make a wild kind of war hoop.

"I asked everybody to show up here today on account of me havin' somethin' extra important to tell you. That right there would be this. I'm goin' run for President and get to be the President of America! I figure I can do that if all of you vote for me. That right there ain't much of a speech, so I'm gonna go on for a while."

"Out to California where I'm from we done a couple of things already. For one, we done created the Fundamentalist Congregational Reform America Party and that there's gonna be our political party like Republican or Democrat or the like. Some eggheads down to the Buck Stratton Headquarters done dreamed up that there name, but I'll tell what it means. It means after I'm President we ain't goin' put up with no more crap runnin' loose in the country, that's what it means! I'm goin' tell you more about that in a minute."

Ted Harper was beginning to get worried, even though the crowd could not get enough. Stratton had to stop at almost every sentence for the applause.

"The other important thing we done gettin' ready for this is we got us a Political Action Committee set up to pay for the campaign, and boy do we ever need to get some money into that baby! So right here, I'm askin' for you all to send money to that. Make them checks out to PAC F CRAP and send 'em right on into San Diego just exactly the same place where you send the rest of the money. It's goin' to take a bundle, so don't hold back none!"

"Now I need to tell all of you just what I mean to do once I'm President. The very first thing I'm doin' is I'm givin' that Demon one hour to get out of town, that's what! Yessirree! We already done had all of that little Devil and his evil little doin's we need! He can either get his ass on a boat or start swimmin'. I don't care! Yessirree! We gonna handle that li'l problem right now!"

These were the words the crowd longed to hear. The applause was, once again, deafening.

"Next thing is we gotta put some real serious Christian condemnin' on that spineless backslidin' President what let that Demon just move right in here! Yessirree! Old Bob Haskill needs to do some jail time and then take some public lashin'. See he ain't like us! Ain't one of you right out there'd let that anti-Christ move right into the country! Old Haskill ain't that bad of a President, Nosirree! That ain't the problem at all. The problem is he's a damned SINNER! That there's the problem!"

"Once I get them two handled, I'll just go right on down the line. And somewhere down the line I'm figurin' I'm goin' to run into good old Martha! Now, she done got her own little political party, but the problem she got is that ever one of 'em is under the spell of the damned devil. That old devil ain't got no power over us, Nosirree! But he damned sure got that whole bunch in the UCFC right where he wants 'em! I don't think I'm goin' to throw 'em all out of the country neither. Just them's ain't willin' to join up with a righteous church. The rest of 'em can stay, but we gonna have to keep our eye on 'em, if you know what I mean."

The fighting between the UCFC and the Fundies had stopped a while ago, but the emotions were still high. This elicited another war cry from the two million.

"God is makin' this campaign possible, and I'm figurin' that the first thing God's goin' to want outta this deal is a chance to get even for the crap these sinners done pulled already! I figure we gonna have to get this here place cleaned up. So far I ain't been nothin' but a humble Man of God, just a hard workin' preacher tryin' to carry light into the world. But now we goin' have to get into the judgin' business just like them Bible people done! And we ain't goin' quit 'til we got a righteous nation that teaches prayin' in high schools and other stuff like that!"

The school prayer comment was one of the few which came from Buck Stratton's written speech, but the crowd ate it up, nonetheless. Ted Harper sighed. This campaign might not last long enough for an opportunity to loot the PAC. What followed was a product of Lolly Harshaw reading the Scriptures to the illiterate minister. The grotesque nature of it didn't cause this crowd to miss a beat. They lapped it up as if it were breakfast.

"See, beloved, here in America we gettin' us a chance for votin' on God's side! If somebody here's wantin' to vote for sin, well, just step right over and join up with old Martha! We don't want you! We don't need none of them other crystal lickin' UCFC's neither! We don't need no fornicators or aldulterators votin' for us! All them grave robbers and blasphemers better vote for old Martha. We don't need no liars or murderers! Don't need no thieves or idolyerators! If you ain't on that list, then you goin' be votin' FCRAP in this here election! You gonna be votin' for Old Pastor Buck!"

"God bless you all, and don't forget to send them contributions into the PAC! We startin' late here and we really needin' the money. Thank you."

The Pastor raised his arms to make a great 'V' over his head and left the podium. The crowd continued to applaud and cheer even after he and Ted Harper had regained the relative privacy of the trailer. "Now maybe you can see why I'm Buck Stratton and you ain't, you little piss ant! Them people was cheering before I even got there and they's still cheering now after I left 'em. Just figure that! You was so worried that Old Pastor Buck ain't goin' do good. Well, forget it. Now I know I can win President, but only if I ain't listening to the likes of you!" Stratton said as he peeled off the sweat soaked suit, replacing it with his usual clothes. "I'm ready to get back home. I'm figurin' that by now there's a goddamned bottle on my jet!"

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WASHINGTON, D.C.

California Radio Minister Buck Stratton surprised a crowd of two million of his followers in a mass rally at Lincoln Memorial when he announced his candidacy for the President. Announcing the formation of the Fundamentalist Congress Reform America Party or FCRAP as it is certain to come to be known, Stratton listed a litany of Biblical sins which he promised to eliminate from the United States if elected. The short speech, delivered in Stratton's unique style was stopped thirty-one times by the applause of an enthusiastic crowd who listened under clear sunny skies. Pastor Stratton returned to San Diego immediately after his speech. It was apparently his first live speaking engagement ever, and his first public appearance since his meteoric rise to prominence in his radio ministry.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Election analysts here are surprised with the rapid shift in party affiliations on voter registration around the country. Faced with a 14% share of voters registered as Republicans, Republican National Committee Chairman Raleigh Van Sythe called for Congressional inquiries into possible voter registration fraud in all districts. The Democratic Party is presently holding a slight edge of registered voters with 16%.

The Fundamentalist Congress American Reform Party after only one week of active voter registration is making a strong showing with around 20% of registrations in all districts. The United Christians for Christ Party continues to hold a strong majority of 47%. The abandonment of the traditional parties and the sharp divisions between the FCRAP and the UCFC suggest little probability of last minute party shifting even though the election is still months away. Neither of the two leading parties is apparently concerned with voter apathy which has traditionally resulted from campaign activities this long before November elections.

Analysis of current national Congressional trends suggests that all open seats in both the House and Senate would likely fall to either the UCFC or the FCRAP. Experts on legislative possibilities predict that an election held tomorrow and dominated by the new parties would result in grid lock in the Congress. A spokesperson for the Traditions Foundation which studies government activity said, "Between the complete lack of experience and the atmosphere of conflict from opposing religious viewpoints, Congress could become a shambles. That condition could well prevail until members negotiate areas of common tolerance which would allow them to once again cooperate on legislation."

UNITED NATIONS, N.Y.

Ambassador Joul Li Chang, speaking for the Government of the People's Republic in an address to the General Assembly, today repeated China's "grave concern" at the prospects of a religious government in the United States. "Evangelism backed up by an arsenal of two thirds of the world's Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles can become an irresistible colonial combination in the hands of reactionaries and opportunists. China has finally purged the influence and the exploitation of European religion in favor of the establishment of a Revolutionary Marxist Culture and Economy. We have no intention of returning to those days. The People of China know that professing faith in the American religion of Jesus Christ is only a prelude to working in a tennis shoe factory for eight cents an hour a week a year later."

TAMPA, FL UCFC HEADQUARTERS

In a long awaited news conference, UCFC Oracle and Presidential Candidate, Martha Stratton answered reporters' question in the vast Meeting Hall of the UCFC Headquarters Building. When asked about using church property for her news conference, Stratton smiled and replied, "Well, President Bob Haskill and his Attorney General didn't want the UCFC to be a church any longer. We immediately took action to protect all of our non-profit services -- orphanages, drug treatment, homeless and the like. Those enterprises are functioning just fine on tithes. We also reorganized to protect the church."

"But our political arm pays taxes like a nose bleed. That's how they keep the common people out of politics. I assume he is pleased that we have converted what's left into a tax paying Political Action Committee. It has worked out well enough so far."

"The offer from the Justice Department to restore our full tax exempt status was predictable. It just means that President Haskill would rather have our votes than our taxes."

She made the following comment concerning her ex-husband, Pastor Buck Stratton's entrance into the Presidential race. "First of all, it wasn't his idea. Buck Stratton is a foolish little drunk who could never come up with an idea like that. He's a weasel. He goes for thousands of little things. That's the way he cheats his way to the top, never something like this."

"I thought he did very well giving his speech, you know. How would you like to speak to two million people the first time out of the house? I was also pleased that he didn't drag his little harlot, Lolly Harshaw, up the podium so's she could listen to him rant and rave about the sins of fornication. As a matter of fact, the only sins he listed that he hasn't done himself are murder and grave robbing. That's because murder is too complicated and grave robbing is too much work. If you liked that speech, stay tuned. There will be plenty more. The only real qualification he has to be President is that you can't shut him up."

Responding to questions concerning China, Mrs. Stratton also commented on the speech by the Chinese Ambassador to the UN. "I don't see why they've got such a bee in their bonnet! We tried to butt into their affairs back as far as Mao Tse Tsung seventy-five years ago. Every time we tried, they told us to mind our own business. I suppose they kind of hurt our feelings. Now they're butting into our business. We should tell them to stick to their own knittin' and butt out. I figure they will get hurt feelings about that. Sort of like we always did. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Doesn't matter if the gander is Chinese or something else."

Mrs. Stratton was asked about the apparent demise of the traditional party structure in the United States. "They both made a mistake. They thought they could just keep going on forever with the same boring claptrap. How many times do I need to listen to some politican tell me about change, or a bright new day. They screwed up. They sold out. They don't have anything anyone's still interested in except maybe their 'extra special friends', if you know what I mean. So. Bob Haskill gave a party and nobody came. I personally think you'd just about have to be brain dead to vote for him, but It's America. You sure can if you want to."

Chapter 129

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PARANEHO PRIMOS NORTE, THE RANCH, EASTERN VIRGINIA

After coaxing, General Tower had agreed to presenting the weekly news conference at the ranch. His security concerns had grown even more stringent after the incident with the surgeon at Bethesda. Jesus wanted to give the reporters a limited tour of the place, newly named "Paraneho Primos Norte" by joint agreement with Juan.

Although it was huge, the best the main ranch house could offer for a gathering of fifteen was the dining hall. It was rustic and functional, a place to feed ranch hands along with a family. It was definitely a dining hall, not a dining room.

The attendees were searched in Washington, D.C. before boarding a Marine helicopter for the ranch forty five minutes away. Most were excited about having an opportunity to see the place. Some were hoping to meet Mrs. Jesus Robeles. General knowledge about her had started with her being a Marine enlisted woman, but had not progressed much from there. Likewise, Juan's wife, known only as Mrs. Gemarro remained a tantalizing mystery to the news media.

Jesus made his entrance to the conference with His usual accomplices, but this time the reporters present -- including those with the Mark of God -- all burst into a healthy session of spontaneous laughter. The Brazilians were wearing their new cowboy hats. Beatrice was perched proudly above Juan's head. Mr. Santos had chosen with his usual impeccable taste but none of his usual conservatism. They were huge.

"Thank you all for coming. We thought that you might think a tour of the ranch would make a helicopter ride all the way out here worth while. I don't want to frighten everyone, but Juan and I have purchased HumVees in order that we might learn to drive. Neither one of us had seen an automobile before we arrived in Rio de Janeiro. The good news is that I won't be your driver -- this time, even though everyone very generously encourages Me with My progress."

Everyone began laughing. It was a good note to start the news conference.

"Since we will be traveling in two vehicles, I'll ask that all your questions be held until we have assembled again. That way everyone will be able to hear all the questions and have an even chance."

The group rode in the HumVees to the construction site for the new housing Jesus had ordered. He happily led all of them through the foundations of the new recreation center for the Marines and the huge swimming pool. They went to the barn and the stables. Eight fine horses grazed peacefully in a fenced pasture. They went by the bunkhouse, now undergoing remodeling to become quarters for the military affairs personnel. Finally, at a word from Jesus, the young Marines who were driving headed across the rolling meadows to the river. Here, under great tall cottonwood trees in a meadow of lush green grass and wildflowers, the group stopped. Beatrice, who had been providing her own transportation, landed herself on a tree stump.

A table was set with cookies and lemonade for the visitors. Folding chairs were removed from the vehicles and set up in the speckled shade. The sound of a courageous little river gurgled in the background. Jesus climbed a short tree trunk and sat before the twelve reporters. "Our refreshments were made by My wife. Perhaps you all can see why I prefer this place to the Watergate. Shall we start?" He pointed to a woman toward the side of the group.

"Lynn O'Hara, Raleigh Dawn Courier. We all heard Buck Stratton's announcement speech. Do You have any thoughts about his plan to throw You out of the country?"

"Yes, I do. First of all, I have just married an American citizen. Juan, too. We would have married our wives even if they had been Bulgarian citizens. These were not marriages of convenience for immigration purposes. In any event. we can really live where we wish. But now we are becoming American Citizens. We may even be able to vote in the election."

"If we receive American Citizenship it may be difficult for Buck Stratton to throw us out of the country. That is the way America is. You may not like Me, but I still get to stay."

"As far as Buck Stratton's candidacy, his announcement was not surprising, given the way things are, I would personally rather vote for a politician who makes only lip service as to his character. Then you know what you are getting. I'm afraid I agree with China. Religious governments can be a problem. You may recall that I lived under one twenty centuries ago -- and suffered the consequences of a brush with those authorities. Do you have a question?" He nodded to a woman on the front row.

"Vera Baker, Oklahoma Visionary. Is there any news about pregnancy here on the ranch?"

When the laughter subsided, Jesus answered, "That would be the same answer as last time -- a week ago. We're working on it." The laughter returned. Jesus pointed to a man seated in the center of the group.

James Henders. San Bernardino Times. You have spoken several times about Your purpose in being here. Is everything that's going on here Your purpose?"

"That's a good question. It may be but I suspect not. When I was still on the Island of Paraneho, when I first learned the truth about Who I was, at least the part that was revealed with the death of Father Riaz

"During that moment I suddenly had an understanding of My exact situation with respect to things which would come later. My mind was awash with ideas and new knowledge which seemed to come so quickly that I was afraid I would forget something. But there was not a moment when I doubted that the voice within Me was that of the Creator, and further, that this was not a passive gift or vision. I was receiving instructions, but the instructions I was receiving seemed to be in the past sense. They seemed to be things which were to be in My future which were expressed to Me as if they were already in My past, already done."

"A very great part of that message was that I should remain faithful to My commitment to carry out My part of whatever was to be done. Also, I know that I am to remain ready, always prepared to act in the interest of the Creator when the time comes for that. As with all human beings I have as a normal part of My nature to constantly think of God. Serving the Creator is always a great joy, never a burden or a sorrow. Would you like to ask a question?" Jesus looked at a heavy set man in the back.

"Norm Hastings, Boise Daily News. Do I understand You to say that all the features of Your unique nature were simply communicated to You during that moment on the Island?"

"The big picture was definitely communicated to Me. Some of the smaller details were actually My own idea, each was found acceptable to the Creator, of course. No one would have any interest in disobedience at such a time."

"The automatic translation of my speech was one thing I asked for. I was uncertain how far out into the world I might be traveling on My mission. I wanted to be able to speak freely with people who didn't understand Portuguese. That idea has worked out very well. Translators are usually very nice people, but they tend to slow things down. Sometimes there are none."

"I asked at that time what could be done about the mischief that has always resulted from the written word, especially after a few centuries. The example of the New Testament in the Christian Bible illustrates this problem. I don't wish to argue about it, but why have a Savior if only to put words into His mouth such a long time after His death?"

"This is the reason that none of you can write notes in these news conferences which are verbatim what I have said. The Creator chose, and I am very happy for it, that no direct quotations would be sent into the world and interpreted from things I said. That idea really didn't work well before, so We're not going to do that again. I have read the annotated versions of these questions and answers. They are thoughtful and carefully made. I am confident that they will be worth more than My actual words if it comes to that."

"Likewise, the matter of photographs. During My previous life numerous artistic people, and some not so artistic although with warm hearts, made drawings of Me as portraits and even My whole person. These drawings were quite good even by modern standards. So, you all can imagine My surprise when I first saw many pictures of Myself as a blond haired rock star fully four inches taller than I am. If Herod's police had used that picture to hunt Me down, they would have arrested a Roman!"

"All of these pictures I mention would have contradicted one or another of the fantastic tales in the Gospels, even years or decades later. Consequently, every one of them was destroyed as apostasy when in fact these very pictures communicated exactly just what happened and the Gospel account was a record of events which happened very differently than recalled. I want to tell you that these discrepancies were seldom the result of conscious deceipt. I am fairly confident that most of them just resulted from exaggeration and embellishment -- and sometimes a desire to associate some ancestor with My ministry. It's just that there are so many of them, a little here and a little there. It was a long time, in some cases decades and decades between events and the time of a written record of them. During that time many little additions can be made."

"Now, I have allowed three photographs to be taken. I think that will be all. I do not want to have someone say that a photo was 'fixed' to show a 'miracle' which never happened. This time we will have to handle everything on a personal basis without relying on the mass media's coverage. A question from you, ma'am?" Jesus asked a woman sitting under the trees to the left. Small flies or mosquitoes were swarming around her, but she bravely smiled and prepared to offer her question.

"Just a moment please. All those darling little creatures are attracted to your perfume." Jesus gently blew in the direction of the woman, and the insects departed. "Now, what is your question?"

"Why, they are gone! Thank you very much!" she said, trying to compose herself. "Nancy Bolinger, Red Rock Tribune. I think I'm going to forget the question I had and ask You just what You did just then."

Jesus laughed. "Well, before you all get your pencils racing, that was no miracle. Believe it or not, any of you could do that if you saw things a little differently."

"Those little flies, and I believe that's what they were, became attracted to Ms. Bolinger's perfume. They interpreted the scent to be an opportunity to feed on pollen more than likely. As they began to swarm around, there was no pollen and they became confused, finally causing the situation of a few moments ago. Such creatures are easily confused, and once they reach that state, they can remain confused."

"One way to see the resulting situation is that all these little flies are bothering me. This position is based on the idea that 'I don't deserve to have these pests buzzing around my head.' That is a typical human response because it places the human at the very top of things. It is based on the assumption that Great Nature may very well do as she wishes, but that she has no business being bothersome to Me because I am a human."

"On the other hand, a person can take the position that the little flies and the human they are swarming around both belong to Great Nature. From this point of view, the human being can see that the flies who are partners in the operation of life on earth, have lost their way and may actually expend so much of their limited energy that they will be harmed or die with their pointless swarming. Then the person can make available to such a situation both his superior intelligence and his sincere wish that all parts of Great Nature function properly. Communicating these two things to his partners in nature, the flies, breaks the trance they have fallen into and allows them to move on to carry forth their lives as planned in the general scheme of things."

"We have spoken of politics and religion, both arenas of mankind, today. But isn't a greater system always present around us? We are naturally more interested in our own affairs than those of Great Nature, but only because we are short sighted. It is hard for us to lay down the events of man's world and notice the natural part of ourselves."

"Absolutely none of this is a reflection on you, Ms. Bolinger, in any way. You didn't know you would be in the country today when you arrived for the news conference. I thank you for the question, however."

"That will be all the questions today. These two vehicles will carry you back to the helicopter. I think I will stay here for a while in this beautiful place."

Chapter 130

130
THE WHITE HOUSE

Republican National Committee Chairman Raleigh Van Sythe was essentially guaranteed immediate access to the President. That would have meant something had there been others wishing to see him. The guest list was becoming uniformly individuals who had come to Washington, D.C. to warm him of an impending UFO attack and hand wringing do-gooders who wanted him to pass a law requiring someone else to support their cause. Fewer and fewer of them wanted to appear in a photograph with him. Robert Haskill's ship was sinking for lack of interest. He had barely convinced his wife to remain with him through the campaign.

"Good morning, Mr. President. I just came from a meeting with the Republican Congressional leadership. I thought I'd drop in and bring you up to speed." Van Sythe was dressed as only a top end Republican can be. A minimum of five thousand dollars hung on his lean frame, including, of course, a three hundred dollar power tie.

"You mean the breakfast meeting? The one on television? Notice they didn't invite me." Haskill complained.

"Well, yes. Actually we had another meeting afterwards. A private meeting." Van Sythe said.

"Oh boy." Haskill groaned.

"We felt we had to act now to try to save some of our House and Senate seats. We're losing all across the board -- everywhere. The straw poll estimated as many as one hundred seats in the House alone. The damned UCFC is quietly approaching our Congressmen with the proposition of joining the party and getting elected or facing a full force UCFC opponent in their district. FCRAP is making roughly the same move in districts they control." Van Sythe explained quickly. "It's the same with the Democrats. Neither of us has the registered voters to resist them. Hell, in half the districts we are going to have to circulate a petition to get the Republican Party on the ballot! The UCFC is making an end run around us and that half-wit Stratton is taking everything that's left."

"Well, to hell with the UCFC! At least they lost their tax status. Now there's one we won! I like to think that will a part of my legacy, don't you?" Haskill said expansively.

"Frankly, thanks to that move, your legacy is going to be the destruction of the two party system. I don't need to tell you that the Republican Party has some very powerful friends who were counting on us to keep things running in their favor." Van Sythe spoke with the authority of a man who had spoken to those very powerful friends. "The polls are showing that you still have nominal control over eight per cent of the registered voters. We think you should withdraw in favor of Martha Stratton. Tell your loyal followers to vote for her. You heard what good old Buck said he was going to do to you."

"What the hell? I know the numbers look bad right now, but just wait until old Bob Haskill hits the campaign trail, starts warming the flesh. Then we'll see who can get the vote out!" the President looked hopeful and insipid simultaneously.

"No! There's not going to be any campaign trail! We already know who can get the vote out -- anyone with a last name of Stratton, that's who! The National Committee doesn't want you to make any public appearances -- none. Hell, we'd have to hire actors just to have a crowd to meet your plane." Van Sythe was clearly delivering someone else's message but he was doing it well.

"You mean we're not even going to try?" President Haskill whined dejectedly.

"That's right. You're going to support Martha Stratton. Your going to throw your support over to her, as if she needs it." Van Sythe insisted.

"I did try one thing since the last time I talked to you. I called Jerry Oxford. I wanted to ask him if he was interested in sharing my ticket." Haskill reported to the seemingly busy little man before him..

"What did the high and mighty Democrat candidate say to that?" asked Van Sythe, his voice dripping with sarcasm and indulgence.

"He hung up. He was drunk. Can you imagine that? Answering his own phone, drunk at ten o'clock in the morning?" Haskill was near tears.

"Yeah, I can imagine that. He's finished, too. Like you. I'll bring your resignation speech tomorrow. We need to get that done before things get worse." Raleigh Van Sythe was already on his way out of the Oval Office.

President Robert Haskill sat morosely at his great desk, under the Seal of the President of the United States, between his flags, staring at a gothic and depressing painting from the Lincoln era on the wall facing him. "Well, at least I'm still President. That's something."

After a few minutes of political meditation of the worst sort, the President lifted his face from his hands. "Old Bob Haskill may not have much of a punch left, but he can still bite. Pay backs are hell you Holy Nobody!"