“You can’t do this. We will take this to the Supreme Court,” he said standing again.
“Well Senator. Since the Chief of the Supreme court is in agreement with us, I’m afraid you will have a difficult time. And even if you do try to get the case heard, it will be on your nickel. The government will not foot the bill,” he said.
The Senator turned and stormed out of the room without another word.
Jason sat down and rubbed his eyes. He hadn’t intended to go quite that far with his information but it wouldn’t have gotten easier with time, he finally decided.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
NASHVILLE, TN
The Vice President was nursing a Scotch neat. His shoes were off and his feet were on the coffee table. He looked down and pulled his foot closer to him.
“Holy smokes. Is that a hole in my sock?” he said holding it out to Jason.
“I’m afraid it is. How long have you been wearing those raggedy old things?”
“They are my lucky socks. Whenever I feel like I need a little luck I put them on.”
“Well, all I can say is it seems you have certainly needed a hell of a lot of luck,” Jason joked.
“It’s been a rough year.”
“Can’t disagree with that.”
“So it did not go well with the Senator.”
It was a statement not a question. Jason had filled him earlier.
“I think that would be safe to assume. Anyway it’s all out on the table now so it will be what it will be.”
“You know the next big item will be revamping the Judicial Branch.”
“Yeah, I’m not so sure we chose wisely with Miller. He seems a little too...I don’t know, just too much something,” Jason replied.
“Stodgy?”
“Not exactly stodgy. Too set in the old way of doing business. I’m not sure he will be able to adapt,” the President said.
“Then maybe our next course of action would be to put him on the spot and see where he stands. We don’t really have enough background on him at this point. I mean we liked his rulings previously but then everything was pretty much structured.”
“I agree. We need to feel him out on his openness to change. I don’t mean tweaking the system, I mean overhauling it. Frankly the way it was is offensive to me. We had too many levels of law. One for the rich, one for the poor, and another for the working person. That has to stop. I’m sick of a sliding scale of justice,” the President stated.
“We have another meeting scheduled tomorrow. We were going to take up the education system again but since this is linked maybe we should tackle the Justice Department first to see if we need to look for a replacement for Miller,” Folly suggested.
“I agree. Do you mind letting Dr. Churchman know of the agenda change?”
“Chicken,” Folly said chuckling.
“Hey, I don’t want to tangle with her. She is tenacious.”
“Passionate really. She is totally focused on getting the education system back on track.”
“Well that’s what we need from everyone on the advisory staff. Passion for making a change for the better.”
“Geez, that sounds like some two bit politician's slogan,” Folly retorted.
“Out. Go take on someone tougher. Go see Dr. Churchman,” the President joked.
****
WASHINGTON DC
“We interrupt our regularly scheduled program to bring you a special message from General Ascot, speaking from the Pentagon,” the announcer said.
“Thank you and good evening countrymen of the United States. Many of you are wondering who I am and why I am addressing you this evening. First, let me say I am not a politician so I won’t have that smooth, practiced delivery you are used to from past Presidents. No teleprompters to keep me on track telling me when to breath.
I am speaking to you from my mind and heart. The Civil War divided the nation into three groups. The United States, the American Republic, and the Independent States. We must accept this as a fact unless we want to resume a protracted and bloody war. As a military man, I can assure you that I have no intention of allowing that to happen.
For the last six months the military has been in control of the government much to the anger of Congress. They want to take back the government. I understand their concerns,” he said pausing to look into the camera.
“But…we are unwilling to return it to the hands of the people who have failed the citizens. Congress was enacted to work for the people. To represent you honestly and ethically. This was not being done. They have granted themselves immunity from scrutiny for their actions. They come and go as they wish with no consequences. Congress has failed miserably in acting on your behalf. They line their pockets with your tax dollars while hardly paying any. They grant themselves privileges that you as hardworking men and women are not privy to. The government is nothing but a sea of red tape,” Ascot told them.
“Congress is concerned that we are becoming a dictatorship. In the strict sense of the word, maybe we are at the moment,” he paused again.
“That is not the way it will remain. I am a military man but I am also a citizen of this country. I expect...no, strike that...I demand that the people who come to Washington do the job they were elected to do. Before I am willing to turn the country over to Congress we intend to do away with the secret handshake deals. The ‘what’s in it for me’ mentality that is rampant in Congress,” he said.
His eyes seemed to be burning into the camera. Everyone in the studio room was hanging on his words.
“Congress obviously adamantly opposes any changes. Why shouldn’t they want to keep things the same? They have it made. They don’t pay into Social Security so taking it away or raising the age requirements means nothing to them. That is going to change before Congress is reconvened. They can rant, cry, throw temper tantrums or whatever else they want to do but it will change and the citizens of the United States will be the better represented for it. You have the power to get rid of the ones who refuse to do the job you sent them to Washington to do. If they don’t keep their promises you have the power to change out the old for ones who will,” he told them.
“One last thing. We will have elections. When? As soon as we make the changes that will put the control of the government back in your hands. Frankly, I wouldn’t have the job of President for all the money in the world,” he said and smiled for the first time.
“If they come crying to you about the mean old military, keep in mind that we are the ones who put an end to the war. We stopped the killing and bombing of our country. Not Congress. They were still holding meetings while the bombs fell. All I ask is that you give us time to point the country in the right direction before we hand it over to new leadership. Thank you and goodnight.”
The camera cut to the announcer who had a wide eyed look on his face.
“That was General Ascot from the Pentagon. I was not quite prepared for his address. We had no advanced copies. In fact he apparently didn’t use notes or a script of any kind. Congress has asked for equal time to respond to the General's remarks; however, at this time they have elected to reschedule for a later date. We will return you to your regularly scheduled program.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
KNOXVILLE, TN
It took Bruce two weeks of hard traveling to make it back to Knoxville. He was surprised at how much had been done. Even some new construction was taking place and fewer people seemed to be walking around in a daze.
He stopped in at an open restaurant. It looked like it had been more or less thrown together but it was packed with hungry customers.
“Well, well. Look what the cat drug in,” Aaron said when he saw Bruce walk in.
“Hey dude. Long time no see,” he said walking over to the booth.
“Have a seat man. Where in the hell have you been?” Aaron said scooting over to give him room.
“You look beat,” Jamie said.
“I’ve been hiking a lot. My old
Jeep finally stopped running.”
“Hey, you can get a car. The Army is helping people get transportation. You might be able to sweet talk them into another Jeep if you want one.”
“I’m not much on sweet talking,” Bruce said.
“Then we can send Jamie. She can charm the skin off a mule if she tries hard enough.”
“Gee thanks. A mule.”
“I was gonna’ say a snake but I know you aren’t too fond of them,” Bruce teased.
“Only good snake is a dead snake in my book,” she shot back.
“So, where have you been?” Bruce asked.
“I took a little trip. I heeded to take care of a few things. Sort of get the cobwebs out of my head.”
“Anything spectacular happen on your walkabout as the Aussies say?”
“Not really. I did a little hunting but didn’t get as much as I would have liked. I may go again sometime,” Bruce said.
“Maybe we’ll tag along. You wouldn’t mind would you Jamie?” Aaron asked.
“Heck no.”
“Yeah, well it may be a while. I have to get things in order here now. I’m not even sure what I want to do next.”
“Knowing you it will be something exciting,” Jamie said.
****
“Our current judicial system is not working. We seem more focused on the criminals than the victims. That strikes me as putting the cart before the horse. I would like to begin by saying that I have little faith in the current system. Jackson, what do you think we should do?”
“Our system does work. It is misguided at times but overall I think it has had a good track record. Can we improve it? Absolutely. Do we have weak areas? Undoubtedly,” Miller replied.
“Humm. So you think that when someone goes to prison they should have cable television, recreation facilities and be able to use computers. That the government should pick up the tab for them becoming prison house lawyers?”
“I’m not saying that but you can’t lock them up and give them nothing to do. They have to be afforded opportunities to better themselves.”
“And what do you see as the Supreme Court's role in interrupting the Constitution?” Jason asked.
“Well, we always have to keep in mind that new situations arise and the nation matures as new technology emerges. The Constitution was written very broadly and at times it is necessary to determine how that doctrine fits into today’s world. When that happens, the court has to make a determination as the facts are presented,” Miller replied
“Given that you have the power to make broad changes, what would you look at?” Folly asked.
“A way to arrive at a more consistent policy of incarceration sentencing. The inconsistency is appalling at times. I have read cases where a mother abuses or abandons her children and is given a less strict sentence that someone who writes bad checks. That strikes me as inconsistent in view of the weight of the crime,” he replied.
“I totally agree. What else?”
“Death row inmates.”
“Meaning?” Jason prompted.
“Right now when a person is sentenced to death, the time between sentencing and the actual event being carried out is on average ten to fifteen years. All that time, the state or federal government is footing the bill. I feel that if all of the appeals cannot be heard within a certain window of time, the execution should take place.”
“So you favor Capital Punishment?”
“Favor is not the right word. I absolutely hate it but there are times that it is the only appropriate way of dealing with heinous crimes.”
“Should women be treated differently than men in sentencing?” Mary asked.
“I would like to think on that before just tossing out an answer. I will say I don’t think the punishment often matches the severity of the crime.”
“Here is something that rankles me Jackson. When the courts rule that ‘God’ can’t be used in certain situations. The courts seem to think that God is not as important today as when the Constitution was originally written. Why do the courts see ‘God’ as a negative? Is it because they think they should replace Him?” Beau Zimmerman asked.
Beau had been at the forefront of many a battle about everything from Nativity scenes to classroom prayers. He was a staunch advocate of putting God first in the country.
“I understand that it is a very touchy subject but America has seen many changes in the decades since the Constitution was first written. We have many religions in the country today whereas in the past, only one or two existed and they were both ‘God’ based if you will. Now we have many, many, religions and often they have different beliefs of who or what ‘God’ is. That has to be carefully balanced by the courts,” Miller answered.
“Do you believe in God Mr. Jackson?”
A quick intake of air could be heard in the room. Everyone waited for the President to step in but he just sat their passively.
“Mr. Zimmerman, I do not wish to answer that. There are some things that are private and should remain private,” he fumed.
“Really? Then let me ask you a simple question. When you are sworn into office isn’t part of the oath ‘so help me God’?”
“Yes.”
“If you don’t believe in God, how can you agree to abide by that oath?” Zimmerman pressured.
“Mr. President. I object to this line of questioning. My personal beliefs have nothing to do with how the Supreme Court rules,” he said.
“But you see, they do. Just as my beliefs often determine what our policies are and how we steer the nation. I cannot separate myself from my basic beliefs.”
“But the courts have to look out for all people. We can’t afford to be selective,” he argued.
“And you think that as President I don’t have to look out for the welfare of the entire country as well? Of course I do, but the decisions I make are still based in part on my character which is shaped by my beliefs,” Jason answered.
Miller sat there a few seconds then said, “It would appear that I may not be the right person for this job. You want a court system that leans to the right. I don’t think I am the person for the job if that is a requirement.”
“You may be partly right. What I want is someone who is in the middle. Someone who can see how victims are given the short end of the stick. A court system that delves out punishment by the severity of the crime. Where technicalities are not what determines the outcome of a trial. Jackson, I want someone who isn’t afraid to say that we have a screwed up system and has a desire to change it. Status quo is not acceptable to the American Republic. Everyone in this room has seen what happens when the government tweaks the Constitution to suit their needs. You cannot take away any of the Bill of Rights and not defy freedom of choice. Are you telling me that you are not the person to make the changes?”
“Not to the extent that you want. I do not want to see us revert to the Salem Witch trials era, targeting groups because of their race or religion,” he said firmly.
“Very well Jackson. I want to thank you for your time and input during these arduous meetings. We certainly wish you the very best and the nation, and I, thank you for your contributions,” the President said, standing and walking around the table to shake his hand before leading him out of the room.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
WASHINGTON, DC
“That bastard. Do you realize what he has just done?” Cromwell ranted.
“Yeah, we all saw the same program you did,” Dickerson replied.
“How? How in the hell did he know?”
“Look, we knew there was a chance of someone ratting us out when we expanded the base to the various levels of government. Have you ever known anyone to keep their mouth shut when they had a hot tip?”
“Still. This affected us all. Some moron couldn’t just disagree and keep quiet. Oh no, they had to go blab,” Cromwell fumed.
“It’s done. The rug has been pulled out from under us. How he found out doesn’t really matter at this p
oint,” Dickerson offered.
“It does to me. I want to find that dirty rat and punch his headlights out.”
“You’re a tad old for that don’t you think?”
“You know what I mean. Not physically but I would love to have a chance to tell them what I think of them exactly,” Cromwell replied.
“So, what do we do next? Wait?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to give it some thought. Any idea where we can find the guy who took out Hanna Cole?” he asked.
“Holy shit. Don’t even joke about something like that,” Dickerson said.
“Oh hell, I was just kidding. I don’t condone that kind of action. Not even against Hanna Cole,” he recanted.
“I'm just glad there was only the two of us in the room. If anyone had overheard you, who knows what would have happened,” Senator Dickerson replied.
“You’re right. If anyone is listening, I was just kidding,” Cromwell said raising his voice loud enough to be heard by anyone close by.
****
THE PENTAGON
“That was brilliant,” General Amblin said when the televised broadcast was over.
“I think it defused the situation for the time being,” the General agreed.
“Then we need to pick up the pace if we are going to keep everyone happy. We still have hundreds of issues to deal with,” Amblin told him.
“I’m all too aware of that. It seems like we have a few problems out of the way. Alice Dell said that the labor unions have pretty much fallen in place. She managed to get everyone on the same page and moving in the right direction. I have to give her a lot of credit for that. I didn’t have to actually intervene, just let her know she had our full support,” Ascot said.
“We need to really concentrate on how the government is going to function once we turn it back over,” Amblin replied.
“I know that the American Republic has been hard at work on that as well. They are of a like mind on many things. What do you think about setting up another meeting with President Jason and finding out how they are progressing. I mean if we can use some elements of their plans it could save us a lot of work. I don’t think they would be opposed to sharing that information with us,” the General said.
A NATION HEALING - BOOK III The Second Civil War (The Second Civil War - BOOK III 1) Page 9
