132
THE WHITE HOUSE
THE WHITE HOUSE
United States Presidents fade into a sort of patina when they have finished their time to lead. They are supported financially by the tax payers until the end of their lives as well as provided an even tempered respect which may have been elusive during their terms. They become dignified and sage elder statesmen, free to support their favorite charities and to wax philosophical amid the pages of their memoirs.
When they decline to run again, they can become renegades with respect to what they say as lame ducks, free at last of the pressure of subtleties which might have fallen great events on the turn of a single word during their time of power. Robert Haskill had joined the ranks of ignomy, the company of Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon and Steven Graysalt. He had joined Lyle Bancroft as a victim of the phenomenon which had risen out of the Sinai Desert. To the massive block of UCFC and FCRAP voters in the country he had become little more than a hollow and pathetic lunatic, inconsequential rubbish to be swept away to clear the path for real change.
The speech writer had shuddered while collaborating with him, but he had dutifully incorporated Haskill's ideas into a ten minute national address. Van Sythe, now another tormentor in President Haskill's paranoia had requested a copy but was curtly denied. The President's aides had formed a water tight blockade around the Oval Office which would remain until January. It was a fortress of vast power but little importance. The drama of the democracy was unfolding in the election districts across the land, not in the White House.
The low state of President Robert Haskill's fortunes was reflected in the bored eyes of the cameraman and the prompters in the television studio beneath the White House. The crowning indignity was realized when a teen aged page ambled toward the podium spinning the Seal of the President between his index fingers. It was, appropriately, a plastic affair which attached the the face of the lectern with velcro.
"My fellow Americans. During the first term of the Haskill Administration we have, together as a nation, faced great challenges. We have fought and won many wars which were made necessary by our national interests. We have prevailed in Algeria and Tunisia, Peru, Bottria and others. We have used the force of the American military to sustain peace without war in other places, in Brazil and Bangladesh. Our naval and air forces carry forward with the blockades of Cuba and the State of the Solomon Islands, and we will prevail there also if we are steadfast. This administration has looked to the defense of this nation with great care. We have maintained a strong military force which is both well prepared and highly ready to keep our nation safe".
"Yet, today we face a new challenge. Since the discovery of the 'Tomb in the Desert' made its first impact on our country six administrations ago, a silent undermining of our way of life has slowly crept into our most sacred institutions. By that I do not mean our churches. I mean our politics. It seems that what the enemies of our country could never have done with force of arms, they have accomplished with fairy tales and superstition."
"After having accepted our rather substantial hospitality, the author of this confusion has gone on to foment rioting and unrest, and finally the destruction of our democracy. The very democracy which offered Him refuge when all others turned away."
"I wish to publicly apologize for allowing this breach of security to have occurred. To you, the American people, I accept responsibility for having allowed the defenses of our country to have been penetrated. I am, at this moment rectifying my mistake."
"I have ordered, through the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Veemer, that the Marine detachment which currently guards the residence of Jesus Robeles place Him under house arrest. I have informed Mr. Robeles that His time to create havoc and unrest in the United States has come to an end. He and His party are to depart from the United States within the next seventy-two hours or they will be jailed as illegal aliens. Until that time His personal safety will be under my direct responsibility."
"I have further ordered active combat elements of the 104th Army Division from Fort Patrick in Virginia to move immediately to the area. When they arrive they will disarm and relieve the Marine command presently stationed there. This is to assure that all military forces at that location will obey direct orders originating from my office. I am relieving General Justus Tower of all command duties as of this time."
"Full responsibility for the safety and order of Mr. Robeles, His wife and all others who choose to associate themselves with Him will be borne by the 104th Division under my direct command. During the time that He remains in the United States, I am imposing a full communications blackout on Him, His party and His sympathizers in and out of the military."
"I regret that such an action as this will mark the last days of my Presidency. I will take this opportunity to announce that I am not a candidate for reelection. I ask those among you who have remained loyal supporters of my candidacy to give your votes to Martha Stratton of the UCFC Party. She is apparently the best we can do. Thank you and good night."
When they decline to run again, they can become renegades with respect to what they say as lame ducks, free at last of the pressure of subtleties which might have fallen great events on the turn of a single word during their time of power. Robert Haskill had joined the ranks of ignomy, the company of Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon and Steven Graysalt. He had joined Lyle Bancroft as a victim of the phenomenon which had risen out of the Sinai Desert. To the massive block of UCFC and FCRAP voters in the country he had become little more than a hollow and pathetic lunatic, inconsequential rubbish to be swept away to clear the path for real change.
The speech writer had shuddered while collaborating with him, but he had dutifully incorporated Haskill's ideas into a ten minute national address. Van Sythe, now another tormentor in President Haskill's paranoia had requested a copy but was curtly denied. The President's aides had formed a water tight blockade around the Oval Office which would remain until January. It was a fortress of vast power but little importance. The drama of the democracy was unfolding in the election districts across the land, not in the White House.
The low state of President Robert Haskill's fortunes was reflected in the bored eyes of the cameraman and the prompters in the television studio beneath the White House. The crowning indignity was realized when a teen aged page ambled toward the podium spinning the Seal of the President between his index fingers. It was, appropriately, a plastic affair which attached the the face of the lectern with velcro.
"My fellow Americans. During the first term of the Haskill Administration we have, together as a nation, faced great challenges. We have fought and won many wars which were made necessary by our national interests. We have prevailed in Algeria and Tunisia, Peru, Bottria and others. We have used the force of the American military to sustain peace without war in other places, in Brazil and Bangladesh. Our naval and air forces carry forward with the blockades of Cuba and the State of the Solomon Islands, and we will prevail there also if we are steadfast. This administration has looked to the defense of this nation with great care. We have maintained a strong military force which is both well prepared and highly ready to keep our nation safe".
"Yet, today we face a new challenge. Since the discovery of the 'Tomb in the Desert' made its first impact on our country six administrations ago, a silent undermining of our way of life has slowly crept into our most sacred institutions. By that I do not mean our churches. I mean our politics. It seems that what the enemies of our country could never have done with force of arms, they have accomplished with fairy tales and superstition."
"After having accepted our rather substantial hospitality, the author of this confusion has gone on to foment rioting and unrest, and finally the destruction of our democracy. The very democracy which offered Him refuge when all others turned away."
"I wish to publicly apologize for allowing this breach of security to have occurred. To you, the American people, I accept responsibility for having allowed the defenses of our country to have been penetrated. I am, at this moment rectifying my mistake."
"I have ordered, through the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Veemer, that the Marine detachment which currently guards the residence of Jesus Robeles place Him under house arrest. I have informed Mr. Robeles that His time to create havoc and unrest in the United States has come to an end. He and His party are to depart from the United States within the next seventy-two hours or they will be jailed as illegal aliens. Until that time His personal safety will be under my direct responsibility."
"I have further ordered active combat elements of the 104th Army Division from Fort Patrick in Virginia to move immediately to the area. When they arrive they will disarm and relieve the Marine command presently stationed there. This is to assure that all military forces at that location will obey direct orders originating from my office. I am relieving General Justus Tower of all command duties as of this time."
"Full responsibility for the safety and order of Mr. Robeles, His wife and all others who choose to associate themselves with Him will be borne by the 104th Division under my direct command. During the time that He remains in the United States, I am imposing a full communications blackout on Him, His party and His sympathizers in and out of the military."
"I regret that such an action as this will mark the last days of my Presidency. I will take this opportunity to announce that I am not a candidate for reelection. I ask those among you who have remained loyal supporters of my candidacy to give your votes to Martha Stratton of the UCFC Party. She is apparently the best we can do. Thank you and good night."
