debt needs to be reduced and this letter brings up a point that no one in
Washington is willing to address, and that is, cuts in Social Security and Medicare. It is a horrible tragedy that three of our country’s elder statesmen have been assassinated, but maybe some good can come of it, if it forces you and the rest of your colleagues to make some overdue and needed reforms.” Basset took a deep breath.
They had anticipated a question along these lines, and Garret had helped prepare an answer.
Basset paused for a moment and stared at the reporter. “I would like you to try and tell the wives, children, and grandchildren of those three men what good could possibly come from this.” Basset shook his head in a disgusted manner. “Mr. Speaker, I am not saying that this isn’t a horrible tragedy for the families of these men. What I am asking is, what is it going to take for the leaders of this country to implement the reforms that the
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American people want? I mean, if these horrible murders are not going to move you to action, what will?”
“We do not even know if these demands are sincere. As I have told you, the FBI
believes the intent of that letter to be bogus. and besides, I resent the fact that we have not even had time to bury these honorable men, and you are talking about kowtowing to the demands of their murderers.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am not talking about kowtowing to anyone. I am only asking if you plan to implement certain reforms that the American people want.”
“I can answer absolutely and emphatically, no! The government of the United States of America has never, and will never, negotiate with terrorists.”
“No one is asking you to negotiate with terrorists, Mr. Speaker. We are talking about making several simple, long-overdue reforms.” Basset started to shake his head back and forth. “The key word in that sentence was simple. Running this country is a very complex and difficult task. A couple of ‘simple reforms’ as you phrased it will not even solve some of the minor problems our country has.” Basset turned to the host. “And I would like to add, things are not as dire as some would lead us to think. The President has been doing a fine job. The economy is strong, and we have been reporting smaller budget deficits than the previous administration.” The reporter was not to be deterred by simple political rhetoric. “So you plan on doing nothing, Mr. Speaker?”
“No. I plan on bringing the House back into session as soon as we are done paying respect to our fallen colleagues, and then we will pass the President’s budget. A budget that, I might add, the American people want.”
O’Rourke got off the couch and tossed the remote control on Liz’s lap. “What’s it going to take for these guys to learn? Seamus, do you want to go for a walk?” Michael’s grandfather nodded and got out of his chair. Michael left the room and appeared in the doorway a moment later with two coats and Duke’s leash. He handed one of the coats to
Seamus and bent down to snap the leash onto Duke’s collar. He stood and looked over at
Liz, who was focused on the TV. “Honey, we’ll be back in an hour or so.” Without looking up, she replied, “I’ll be here. You two have a nice time.”
Michael watched her diligently type away while she stayed focused on the program.
Walking behind the couch, he bent over and kissed her on the cheek. “Don’t pull any punches, honey.” Scarlatti smiled and said, “I never do.”
“That’s why you’re my favorite journalist.”
“I hope that’s not the only reason.” Seamus grinned at Michael and the two of them, along with Duke, left the house. When they reached the sidewalk, Seamus said, “You two seem very happy.”
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“We are. If it wasn’t for our jobs, I would have probably asked her to marry me by now.” The stoic Seamus said, “Well, you have my approval.”
As an afterthought he added, “If it matters.”
Michael wrapped an arm around his grandfather and with a big grin said, “You’re damn right it does.” Duke began sniffing everything in their path, zigzagging back and forth across the sidewalk. Michael looked over his shoulder and said, “There’s something we really need to talk about.
“Does it have anything to do with what you mentioned on the phone the other day?”
“Yes. Remember the hunting trip we went on last year with-” Seamus raised his hand and cut Michael off. “Don’t mention any names.”
Seamus looked up and down the street. Washington gave him the creeps.
“With all of these damn embassies around here, the FBI, the CIA, the NSA, and all of the defense intelligence agencies, it’s a wonder any conversation takes place in this town without being recorded.” Michael nodded. you know who I’m talking about.”
The younger of the two O’Rourkes lowered his voice. “On that trip I gave him some highly sensitive information about a Senator who cost the lives of half the men in his unit.”
“I remember.” Michael paused and said, “I think that he might be involved in these assassinations. “And?” Seamus shrugged his shoulders with indifference. “You don’t think it’s a big deal?”
Seamus retrieved his pipe from his jacket. “Yes, I think it’s a big deal.” He packed some tobacco in the bowl and sucked a flame down into it.
Exhaling a cloud of smoke, he said, “Michael, partisan politics has always existed in this country and it always will. In a way it’s healthy. The parties act as another check and balance. They pulled the same crap when I was your age; the only difference was, when push came to shove, they were responsible enough to balance the budget. The problem today is that men like Koslowski, Fitzgerald, and Downs… the old guard … they control the system. All of this shit went down on their watch, and they did nothing to prevent it.
In fact they resisted commonsense change at every turn. They are the reason we are five trillion dollars in debt, and I couldn’t be happier that they are dead.”
