theater near you.’ The quintessential question of our time is fast becoming ‘ How much freedom will our people surrender in order to increase their personal security?’ Who would have believed twenty years ago that we would have armed guards with automatic weapons strolling casually through our airports, that it would take over thirty minutes to an hour just to clear your way through to the departure gate, that older people with knee and hip replacements would need to practically undress because they will never be able to pass the metal screener, and that the most common practice for people flying would be to be dropped off at the curb by their family since sitting at the departure gate with a loved one is no longer permitted? And what man doesn’t go to the public restroom in the airport and check the briefcase or package standing beside a urinal, wondering if it was left twenty minutes ago, or belongs to someone currently using the facility?”
Austin shook his head. “Again, not a rosy picture of the America we all know, or knew, and loved.”
Culpepper stood and walked around to the front of his desk. He reached back and picked up the clear plastic folder and handed it to Austin. “When you have a few moments, General, please review this proposal from SI to enhance their services to our nation. I think it will open your eyes. SI calls it Domestic Tranquility. And this is very close to achieving approval by the congressional committee structure, in both houses, and the military hasn’t even been given the opportunity to review it. At least not openly. I personally gave a copy to Admiral Barrington about ten days ago. He was astonished at the content.”
Culpepper retraced his steps to the window, gazed down at the view of Washington D.C., and stood silent for several minutes while General Austin quickly scanned through the folder. Then Culpepper came back behind his desk and resumed his seat.
“We’ve been talking for twenty minutes and haven’t even mentioned the terrorist attack on our citizens. I don’t take this threat lightly, General, as I stated in committee this morning, but I am absolutely certain, even more so with you at the helm of HSD, that we will defeat, or at least find a way to live with, this level of domestic terrorism. Despite its public image, the media hype, and the fear of our citizens, the actual impact on our people is minimal. The causalities so far have been equated to less than ten percent of our weekly traffic fatality toll. But what I am most concerned about, which I will admit only in private meetings, mind you, is the end result and what type of security arrangements America will have at the other end of this current crisis. If we give the PSC’s carte blanche and allow them to run roughshod over our legal protections, habeas corpus, etc., heaven help us in our attempt to withdraw such blanket authority when the crisis ends. Declaring martial law would be easier to rescind. A greatly enhanced authority provision, called Domestic Tranquility, will live forever.
“Gentlemen, at this very moment, with the full knowledge of the president, Congress is working on a dramatic extension and broadening of the Patriot Act. The changes will authorize almost free reign to law enforcement to seize and hold suspected terrorists or their suspected supporters, for unlimited time. Some are pushing for a ten-day limit, without recourse to legal counsel. A national Guantanamo, so to speak. These are tougher restrictions than Abraham Lincoln enacted during the Civil War. The fear among my colleagues is palpable, reflected by their constituents and the national panic. They feel bound to do something to counter the terror in the streets. And we haven’t even addressed the internal, self-proclaimed militia, the unrestrained, white-supremacist based groups that love to kill anything not Anglo-Saxon.”
Austin nodded to acknowledge his agreement. “You’re absolutely right, Senator, but none of this was discussed this morning. What restrains your colleagues from speaking openly about their fears of repealing too much of our freedom?”
“Fear, plain and simple. Fear of exacerbating the public panic. Fear of being called soft on the war on terrorism, or ‘man-made disasters,’ as our esteemed Speaker of the House likes to call it. The congressional need to do something is much broader than you might imagine, especially on the House side, where they’re all up for election every two years. Perhaps unknown to you, some of my colleagues in the Senate, and perhaps the House, have been in discussions with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. If legislation is enacted and upheld by the courts, America will change to an extent never even considered by the founders. General Connor,” Culpepper said, once again directing his comments at Pug, “I’d like to speak directly to you for a moment, in a most candid manner, if you please. Notwithstanding your reporting relationship to Secretary Austin, I understand you have a special relationship with President Snow.”
Connor glanced at General Austin, who nodded his assent. “I have a historical relationship, Senator, outside of politics or the military. But it does not provide either favor or obligation in my current assignment.”
Culpepper smiled. “Well stated, young man, and true to your responsibility to General Austin. But you can talk to the man, can’t you? Straight up, I mean. Your father was his law partner for many years. Your family and his associated? Am I right?”
“You are, Senator, but I will not infringe upon that relationship. My line of authority is to Secretary Austin.”
“Again, commendable, but short-sighted. I’m sure Secretary Austin would agree. A close, even trusted relationship is important, son. Don’t underestimate the importance of access. In this town, it means everything.”
Pug squirmed slightly in his chair, becoming very uncomfortable with the request being presented. Secretary Austin remained silent, to Pug’s chagrin. Culpepper continued.
“What I’m contending, General, is that we are entering dangerous waters right now, in this present crisis. If the Congress enacts restrictive legislation on American citizens, gives law enforcement free reign, and remember my inclusion in that definition of law enforcement any PSC’s serving in that capacity, and then the courts, through coordinated agreement, uphold those changes, we may well be giving away our inherent freedoms to corporate executives who are responsible only to a small body of elected officials whom they helped, through financial contributions, into office. Not a pretty thought, General. We need to be certain the president understands that concept.”
“Perhaps you underestimate President Snow, Senator,” Pug replied. “And what about the liberal groups? Won’t they and their constituency oppose such a police state?”
“With every fiber of their being, I would assume. I’m not saying it’s a done deal, but if approved and supported by judicial fiat, how would they continue to oppose? No, the danger exists and it’s closer than any of us would like to think. Son, with Secretary Austin’s permission, I’m going to ask you to deliver a message to our president. Eventually I’ll speak with him myself, but for now, I need to stay publicly opposed to his policies to sustain my relationship with those proposing these changes. Succinctly stated, General Connor, I would like you to tell the president that I believe that if this new legislation, Domestic Tranquility, is passed, the Constitution will be in desperate trouble. Tell him that Senator Culpepper believes it’s time for him to recognize the danger and to move to retain the American freedoms that we all love. It’s time for our president to step up, to be a leader and not a pollster. That’s not meant in any fashion to be an accusation. From what I can see, President Snow has made an excellent start by avoiding all commitments that belonged to his predecessor. He’s shown himself to be his own man. If he comes out and opposes these proposed changes, both sides of the aisle will condemn him in the strongest terms as a weakling, soft on terrorism. He will likely become one of the most vilified presidents in American history, his name will be associated with lack of strength to defeat terrorism and an unwillingness to fight this invasion, a man reluctant to place in effect the tough measures necessary to fight internal terrorism because of his fear of the people. They’ll call him soft-natured, not tough enough to face an enemy in mortal combat. In truth, if he rises to the challenge, he has the opportunity to literally save America as we know it. If not, I don’t know where it will all lead, but I don’t like the prognosis. That’s all I’m asking you to tell him, privately and confidentially, since I can’t, at this time, approach him personally.”
“Senator,” Pug said quietly, “I do not meet directly with the president without his request or direction from Secretary Austin.”
“Mr. Secretary,” Culpepper said, his exasperation visually apparent, “do you concur with my request of General Connor?”
Austin sat quiet for several long seconds, his face unreadable. Finally he spoke. “I sincerely hope that the picture you paint is not forthcoming, but I concede that you’re far better positioned than I to know of the developing issues. As to your request of General Connor, I will seek a meeting with President Snow and assure that Pug accompanies me. But Senator, and you too, Pug, don’t be surprised if President Snow already has the situation well in hand.”
“My thanks for this impromptu meeting, gentleman, and Godspeed to both of you,” Culpepper said, rising to escort them to the doorway. “And let me know what you think of the SI proposal, Mr. Secretary. Jennie will give you
