The word this morning was that the Russians had fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile. It is supposed to be a new model of the old SS-18 rocket NATO called the “SATAN.” Apparently the Russians have another name for it. The experts said it was a signal directed by Mr. Putin to demonstrate his government’s ability to strike anywhere within 11,000 miles of his homeland with a rocket that could, theoretically, carry ten or more reentry vehicles at hypersonic speeds, against which defense is impossible.
You can imagine the response at the Fire Ring, particularly with the stimulus of visitors to the farm. That event had caused a small demonstration of festive welcome and champagne on the deck overlooking the southern pastures, and some interesting tales of what it was like to serve with the Chairman when their circle was still young and vigorous a half century ago.
The visit required a legal consultation as the appropriate means to commemorate the occasion. “You can celebrate old companionship, but not mention the submarine parts. You can say things like “They looked great and it was wonderful to see them, but leave the names out of it. That is already recorded through the Alexis collection system in the thermostat, so there is a record that could be used, and since…” she looked both ways to see if anyone was checking their phones or otherwise connecting the Fire Ring to the massive central surveillance bank.
Our attorney continued warily. “…since one of more of the guests is also under potential Article 88 jurisdiction, why not just say a pleasant afternoon under sunny spring skies with old friends. And everything they talked about was compliant with new interpretation of old laws.”
“If that is the new standard, it is going to make the Daily a little boring.”
“There is a case that compliance does that. But we didn’t get a chance to say that when they announced the change.”
“That sounds like the mask thing.”
“Be careful. Just because you lived places where it was common for those concerned with close quarters and possible exposure to wear facial coverings. They knew that yelling at each other about it was not only uncivil but defeated the purpose of the mask in the first place.”
“Just stop. That could be taken as criticism of official government declaration of emergency.”
“Use of the word “emergency” is sort of at the middle of all of this stuff. We all agree that real emergencies require extraordinary actions to protect the public good.”
“I think the Framers would have agreed with that, but seemed to think that real emergencies would be apparent to everyone concerned. Not like it works now.”
“The emergencies are stacked on top of each other, all of them sort of interlocking and some of them that seem a little nuts.”
“Ghost things, end of the world stuff, invasions of neutral nations, drunk driving.”
“All true. You have to be flexible, but there are too many emergencies to keep track of. We seem to have lost the ability to actually define them. The border thing seems like an emergency, or the fentanyl overdose issue that is now the number one killer of citizens .”
“No, darn it. That is the whole point. Emergency rule enables our government to swiftly take action on things that normally would take time. It is necessary to keep us safe.”
“And more adults between 18 and 45 died of fentanyl overdoses in 2020 than COVID-19, motor vehicle accidents, cancer and suicide. And it has gone up dramatically with the flood of that crap across the border we are not defending.”
“We assume they will get to that emergency when they have time. But that would involve taking care of the border emergency, which we can’t say is an emergency because it is official policy.” Splash was making his usual muttering loud enough to hear.
“This is a little strange,” said Loma. “Because of the emergencies, we can’t talk about the emergencies.”
Buck has a policy advantage based on education and experience. He leaned forward, safe from Article 88 restrictions. “You can say that, just so long as you don’t mention why it is strange.”
DeMille had a product to get out, even if it seemed strange to not be able to point out what the real emergency was. “So, the Russian rocket is sort of an emergency?” There was general nodding around the circle, but no one said anything aloud. That could wait until we were out of line-of-sight of the thermostat and we only had to worry about the phones in our pockets.
Copyright 2022 Vic Socotra
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