Chapter 8
- Writ from the Moving Finger, August 2001
August 2001. Despite
the pleasant surroundings, the men around the table in the Texas ranch
house were grim and intent on the papers before them.
"This
is the opening we've been looking for. All that is risked are a few unimportant
lives but the payoff is enormous," growled Boss.
"How
do you mean, opening?" The questioner at the head of the table had
scarcely turned a page, being averse to reading anything more challenging
than children's books.
"Well,
Potus, our primary purpose is to get you a second term which looks pretty
slim right now. We need a war to get the electorate behind us and nothing
works as well as scaring them to death. It also dovetails with our plans
to invade and take over the Iraqi oil wells."
"Yes!"
The stocky man in glasses vehemently agreed. "We have only to make
sure that the flyboys get sidetracked and don't gum up the works. The towel-heads
will do the rest."
"Can
you do that, Dod? Can you really get the fighters to stand down without
the order being traced to me? Like, I really want to knock off Saddam --
kick his dirty butt into Hell and gone -- but no one must know that."
"Does
a bear shit in the woods, Potus? Of course it does. Will you be completely
out of the loop? Absolutely. When you make the decision to invade Iraq
it will be a response to terrorism. You're covered." Dod turned to
Boss for agreement.
Boss
nodded affirmatively then said, "Give us a run through, Cyo, using
what we have here in the intelligence reports. Remember, we also have the
Saudis verifying the approximate time."
"Right
and we have supporting info from the Brits and Israelis as well. OK, it
will go down this way," responded Cyotesall as he rose to grab a pointer
and approach the diagrams mounted on tripods.
"We
have FBI intel that a terrorist group has members who have taken flying
lessons in Florida and tried to obtain crop dusters in the Midwest. That
supports the Saudi intel.
"From
that and other foreign intelligence we have, we assume that Bin Laden has
planned that his al Quida terrorists will fly a small plane into a building
somewhere in New York or Washington.
"We propose
to let that happen
and Dod will see to it that the plane gets through to its target without
interference from our jets. There will be casualties, of course, that cannot
be helped. The main thing is that it will scare the shit out of the electorate
-- especially women and we need that demographic for the '04 election.
"Potus
will be presented as a strong and resolute leader and we may be sure that
a frightened populous will flock to support his plans to 'get the terrorists
that attacked our beloved country.' That will mean invading Iraq before
'04. This country never changes leadership during war time. And best of
all, whatever nasty stuff happens we can blame it all on Clinton."
"Since
we don't know the exact time and place how can you be sure that I won't
be the target?"
"We've
got that covered, Potus," soothed Boss. "Not a big deal. Remember
the small plane that hit the White House when Clinton was there? Hardly
any damage done.
"Besides,
the Saudis will keep us up to the minute and we'll have you in a safe public
place where we will have media coverage right on hand. That's so the public
will see their fearless leader take charge immediately after they hear
of the terrorist attack on their country.
"That's
why this works so well, you know. Americans have never had their own country
attacked. They'll flock to the image of a leader that is strong and protective."
Dod
grunted his approval and added, "Besides, it won't be a major attack,
not with a small single motored crop duster -- just enough to stir them
up and identify the terrorist enemy. Will the media scream bloody murder?
You bet they will. Will we calm them down with assurances that we will
kick ass? Absolutely."
"OK,
boys, let's do 'er, but not until my vacation is over. I've got the rest
of August before heading East and many plans for doin' fun ranching stuff
so don't louse that up for me."
Potus
stands up. "We're done here? Yes? Meeting's adjourned."
