Passages from Our Times Read online

  Prologue

  Trans-Millennium

  FEW MOMENTOUS EVENTS SPRING full-grown onto the stage of history. They begin almost without exception in occurrences that were left unchecked as the impact of their effects multiplied exponentially. The period referred to as the Trans-Millennium (1998–2002) bore witness to an array of happenstances which could have been effectively dealt with by the United States if its Government had not been mired in the morass of the Raft Investment Services debacle, and then the sectarian warfare that engulfed Basraistan.

  The Raft scandal became the focal point of the De Witt Administration, excluding all other major issues from thoughtful, full-time consideration by any senior Administration official. The conflict in West Asia passed unresolved to the successor Administration.

  America’s involvement in the latest West Asia conflict resulted from its participation in ending a previous war in the region; the 1990–1991 Gulf War had seen Iran invade Iraq and Kuwait, but a US-led alliance of 50 nations ousted the invasion forces. The regimes in Iran and Iraq (both thuggish dictatorships that had fought each other previously) were not changed. However, the borders of both nations were redrawn in the hope of ending sectarian animosities.

  The victorious allied leadership based their map revisions creating Kurdistan (from former northern Iraq/western Iran), Basraistan—for the Shia Moslems (from former southern Iraq) and Khuzestan- for an Arab minority that had been in neo-Persian dominated western Iran, on the 1947 plan by the then recently established League of Nations to redraw the maps of Palestine and The Levant according to data compiled in a family-by-family census of the region; this plan was endorsed by the three major religions born in West Asia. Each permitted their universal symbol (the Star, the Good Shepard, the Crescent) to be displayed on the cover of the document. Despite occasional skirmishes among radicals, the 1947 Geneva Accord has kept the peace for the five new countries in what could have been a volatile region. The 1992 plan for West Asia, tragically, was not as successful.

  Raft Investment Services became a topic for discussion among the general public when the Federal Grand Jury indictments were handed down on February 30, 1998.

  [In this history the months April through August have 31 days and September through March have 30 days.]

  The indictments alleged that a score of individuals working in, or in conjunction with, the De Witt Administration, acting alone or in concert, by deeds of commission and/or omission, sought to sidetrack, obfuscate and/or obstruct the several investigations into the originating circumstances of, and the intended purposes of, the attempts at record revisions involving the financial affairs of the De Witt family vis-à-vis Raft Investment Services prior to Jeffrey De Witt’s assumption of office as President of the United States on assumption of office as President of the United States on January 20, 1993. Raft had declared bankruptcy despite a considerable deposit of funds by the State Employees’ Pension Plan in Mr. De Witt’s home State. He had acted as a financial consultant to Raft, while another member of the family served as the State’s Attorney General. The Federal investigation had been conducted initially in 1993 (and quite ineffectively) by the Department of Justice, then a brace of Congressional committees, and finally by the Office of the Independent Counsel.

  The subject had originally come to light during the 1992 Presidential campaign in an off-handed manner. This writer had travelled to Faith, Louisiana to interview childhood acquaintances of a successful local favorite—former Mayor, then U.S. Senator and now candidate for President, Jeffrey Monroe De Witt. Sitting amid a gathering of folks in the town’s coffee shop, this writer had asked several general questions. The replies kept coming around to financial planning schemes emanating from a company known as Raft Investment Services. The De Witt Family was one of the general partners. There was talk of failing Savings and Loan Associations being purchased at bargain prices, of property acquisitions signed and done before the hint of a pending sale was made public, and of unsecured loans from businesses to the local political hierarchy. This writer’s columns were laughed off by De Witt as “the by-product of the joshing of a Yankee by some good ol’ boys.” It is well known how the issue flared, faltered, stirred again, sizzled again, and stalled again over the next two years.

  When the opposition Federalist Party took control of both Houses of Congress following the 1994 elections the issue was back in the spotlight. The Federal investigation was still attempting to set up shop, and was led only by a Deputy Assistant U.S. Attorney. Congressional committees took control in January 1995 and established the Office of the Independent Counsel to complete the work.

  What was eventually discovered concerning the cover-up of Mr. De Witt’s involvement showed that the transgressions which transpired prior to Mr. De Witt’s Inauguration Day were dwarfed by the subsequent Byzantine subterfuge created to deflect any and all outside perusals of matters relating to Raft Investment Services.

  At this point to relate in detail that the naming of that most notable of non-governmental figures as the pre-eminent director in every stage of the conspiracy, and that her presence at the Defence table during the three month trial paralyzed American society in a paroxysm of macabre fascination and mournful detestation would indeed seem the reopening of old wounds. Her conviction, the subsequent first-ever Presidential resignation (brought about by the firestorm of protest following the Executive pardon), and the assumption of the Presidency by a career politician whose success in public life was owed to private connections only fed the downward spiral of the citizens’ contempt for politics.

  Jeffrey De Witt’s resignation as President on September 8, 1998 brought his two-time running mate, former Florida Governor Gregory Albertson, into the Oval Office almost certainly against his better judgement. The De Witt— Albertson team had defeated incumbent President Milton Prescott in the 1992 election primarily on economic issues born of a harsh recession. Unbelievably, the Alliance triumph over Iran played no part in the campaign debate; Prescott tossed away his best cards in the self-delusion that the public was no longer concerned with the issue of global security.

  De Witt and Albertson had run as the nominal candidates of the Libertarian Party; but, essentially, they conducted themselves as independents. This, however, did not save their party from the voters’ wrath when the economy failed to improve. As a result of the 1994 Congressional elections, the Federalist Party took control of both chambers for the first time in several decades. The new Speaker of the House of Representatives, Todd Poorberry of California, made a personal commitment to unearth every last detail of the Raft scandal.

  Greg Albertson had been a little-known member of the State Assembly before being elected Governor. His claim to fame was endorsing, at a critical time, a growing protest movement which sought to block a proposal by the entertainment conglomerate Willie Datbow Productions. The firm wanted to purchase ownership of the city of St. Augustine (site of the earliest permanent European settlement in the Western Hemisphere). Datbow envisioned transforming the city into a live-in, work-in theme park centered on Native American and Spanish colonialism heritage. Free enterprise zealots saw nothing wrong with a plastic-coated travesty, provided investors could make a profit. Community groups, environmentalists and historians rallied against the concept. A series of articles by The Saturday Evening Post focused widespread attention on Albertson’s offer of pro bono legal representation for those opposing Datbow. The increasingly adverse opinion climate embarrassed Datbow into withdrawing its plans.

  Greg Albertson’s contribution to the Administration he served as Vice President was his ability to do as he was told. Despite the usual blather about making the Veep a key player for the in-coming Government, Albertson found himself sim
ply chairing several flash-in-the-pan committees on procedural bureaucratic functions. As he took up his new responsibility as Chief Executive, Albertson became appalled at how truly critical foreign affairs had become—especially its influence on the economy; and, how truly little the heldover advisers from his predecessor knew about formulating an effective response to several developing crises.

  After 1994 the De Witt Administration was essentially on cruise control. The only item which stirred its attention away from Raft damage mitigation was its 1996 re-election effort. This undertaking was greatly aided by the flawed style offered by the Federalist candidate, Iowa Governor Ben Sunkist. Despite being a highly decorated veteran of the USNATO Expeditionary Force during the 1949–1951 Balkans War, and having served five terms as Governor, Sunkist lacked the theatrical ability possessed by Jeff De Witt to emotionally present himself as the stellar advocate of whatever topic endeared itself to the hearts of whatever group he happened to be speaking to any particular moment.

  The euphoria of the November 1996 victory was shortlived as the Administration returned to its sleepwalk, while the criminal investigation proceeded. Greg Albertson was left to clean up the mess; it was not until the following Spring that the new President realized he needed serious advice from the old President. By this he meant venerable Milton Buckminster Wallace Prescott.

  The Gathering Storm

  Saturday, April 3, 1999 (9 a.m.)

  THE FIRST HINTS OF SPRING were showing in the woodlands of the Catoctin Mountains as the motorcade proceeded to the main entrance at Camp David. Official Washington was running on a lower level of frantic anxiety with the departure of Congress the prior week for its Easter break. President Albertson had come up to the Maryland retreat the previous day. He needed time to relax, and also to prepare for his visitor. The meeting, although subject to the usual high level of security, was being downplayed. Nevertheless, former President Prescott was at the gate and the current President had every reason to feel that so were the wolves of history.

  The limousine had barely halted when a rear door popped open and a trim, healthy 70ish gentleman emerged from the vehicle. He was sportily attired in fashionable deck shoes, natty blanco trousers, dark blue polo shirt, a tailored navy blazer, Ray Ban shades, and all topped off with a baseball cap emblazoned with the Presidential seal. This five foot seven, 150 pound grandfather appeared as if he were on his way to his favorite past-time—yachting. Milton Prescott was clearly enjoying his retirement, having long ago recovered from the fleeting disappointment of not being returned to that “darn gold fish bowl…and we made progress on what we believed we had as our goals…Martha sure had fun…the American people are guided in their wisdom.”

  Greg Albertson (a generation younger, a half-foot taller and thirty pounds heavier) always seemed in a formal pose, even on Casual Fridays. His detractors snickered he was the type of person who would have his blue jeans ironed by a valet before wearing them. Albertson was given this rejoinder by Mr. De Witt’s head speechwriter: “Of course I don’t do that! I’m a regular guy. I iron them myself.” So, here he stood in the latest, best offerings in walking shoes, khaki slacks and pure cotton, salmon-toned polo shirt from J. Peterman. Hesitating a second the President stepped forward to shake hands with someone who could understand his troubles.

  “Mr. President,” one said.

  “Mr. President,” replied the other.

  “Oh, enough formalities, Greg. Just call me Milt. How’s the family?”

  “Thanks…Milt…they’re well. Tracy and the children are at our estate in Florida. They need to escape from the tension as much as I do,” said Albertson.

  “Ten-sion…sounds military,” replied Prescott. “It fits… problems keep marching upon you in this job. Let’s walk! It’s too grand a morning to be admiring the carpet in the study.”

  The former President directed the incumbent towards a path that ran back into the property and away from the main buildings. Within a few minutes the men were far enough along the gravel-coated walkway that it would be easy for them to forget the ominous presence of the outside world. The trailing retinue of a double team of Secret Service Agents served as a reminder, however. A stirring breeze from the southwest carried with it the scents and sounds of the awakening season. A crystalline, azure heaven was the playground of a squadron of crows; in staccato harmony they declared their appreciation of the day.

  “Did you have a good flight?” Albertson asked.

  “Yes, Greg, I did. Thanks. Traffic wasn’t too bad at Idelwild. Of course, it helps to have special clearance for immediate take-off…this is one thing I truly miss,” Prescott sighed, gesturing at the forest-endowed landscape.

  “Yes, Milt,” replied the President, consciously making the effort this time to personalize his remarks, “I know what you mean. If I could telecommute, this would be an ideal location for a home office.”

  “The headlines are full of what you have to deal with,” Prescott commiserated. “I’m thankful for the briefing summaries your people send out. Is it as wild as it seems?”

  Albertson sighed. “From one week to the next it’s difficult to know which trouble spot is going to be the one that blows up first. China, Mexico, Basraistan—and of all places, Canada! They’re all in one mad rush for unwanted attention. My advisers are split every which way. They became so complacent in being able to judge topics by poll findings that now they’re left flummoxed on issues lacking public consensus. Milt, I’m glad you could come. I need to speak with someone whose eyes don’t glaze over because an issue doesn’t involve a constituency group.”

  Prescott laughed. “Well, I’ve been accused of glazing and causing glazing.”

  The President stopped and asked directly, “Milt, what do you think of these situations? What can I do about them?”

  The men had reached a clearing where a small pond nestled in a sun-washed corner of the woodland. A sturdy oak bench sat within easy pebble tossing distance of the shoreline. The former President pointed towards the scene saying, “Greg, let’s sit for a while. I think our shadows need a rest.” They walked over and seated themselves while the attempting-to-be-unobtrusive Agents readjusted the protective cordon. Communication system static merged with bird song— the equivalent of a raspy cough in a hushed cathedral.

  Scattered throughout the clearing were crowds of those muted aureate trumpeters of Spring; the former President removed his cap and sunglasses. His neatly trimmed gray hair was combed back, and his pale blue eyes swept the scene. “Where to begin…” Prescott muttered as he gathered his thoughts. Over the course of the next half hour Greg Albertson received more straightforward opinion than he had in the prior six months.

  “The Soviet Republic of China,” began Prescott. “I know China. Served there as Ambassador during Rocky’s second term. That society seems older than time. Mao was their Stalin, the two unrestrained butchers of the 20th Century. Both dragged their nations into the modern era by chains. The Chairman probably killed more of his own folks than the enemy did in The Global War.”

  [What was initially a regional conflict evolved into The Global War with simultaneous hostilities on far-separated fronts. The earliest phase was ignited by the Nippon Empire’s attack on China in 1932. It took on global characteristics in September 1941 when the People’s Republics of Eurasia (PREA) launched conquering assaults against its Central Europe and Central Asia neighbors that had gained independence when the Czarist Empire ended in 1917. Stalin, in cruel irony, renamed Russia and the captive nations as the People’s Republics of Eurasia. America became involved in Asia following the Battle of the South China Sea on November 25, 1941; this event saw U.S. forces block an attempted invasion of the Philippines by Nippon. The U.S. had for some time been able to decode Nippon’s military communications through a system labeled MAGIC, and thus had warning of the planned invasion. In July 1942 Germany’s fractious democratic government was further undermined by internal subversion. It was then coerced to accept a part
ition of the country into two nation-states. This was agreed to in order to forestall an outright invasion of Germany by the PREA. The U.S. in response sent troops to France to bolster the defenses of the Western European democracies. Warfare in Asia ceased in August 1943 with Nippon‘s surrender following America’s unleashing of an atomic bomb against its forces on Okinawa.]

  Prescott continued, “People were killed in the millions as well by Uncle Joe, he’s believed to have ordered the murder of that German beer-hall fanatic in ’33, and yet he never had to worry about an invader…the Global War, years of savagery. Some historians will tell you that if TR hadn’t been so persuasive in 1914 and pushed for the Second Congress of Vienna the world might have faced an earlier world-wide conflict…Red Guards were bad news. China needs reform. Folks in the countryside consider themselves advanced if they have piped water and a connection for electricity. Tiananmen Square massacre won’t stop people from wanting freedom. This year’s the tenth anniversary. The democracy movement is now tied to the southern zone entrepreneurs. They need practical rule of law to do international business…property rights, copyrights, intellectual proprietary protection…it’s as if they exist in different realities…political China, economic China…the business class and their emerging middle class don’t care about socialist dogma…they have practical needs and want practical responses…Business wise they’re top notch; they’ll soon be the second largest economy—first, if we let them get by. That nation is facing a social earthquake. Can’t retain strict controls on information, innovation, incentives and expect business to generate profits for the regime… one side will have to move…Beijing wins, it’s a step back… the innovators win, then they get a great leap forward.”

  “The Republic of Taiwan…set up after liberation from the Nippon Empire…wanted nothing to do with the mainland- always separate society anyway. Now looks at the reformers as useful partners. Might consider some form of federation. Won’t stand for being forced into anything.”