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Praetorium Honoris

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Rumblings from the West Coast

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The President set the phone's handset back down in its cradle. He was alone in the Oval Office for the moment. Admiral Jack Whalen had let him know that the SEALs, under Jason Howard, had reported in, the mission had been a success. The members of the cabal were all dead, a great deal of money had been seized from their accounts, and the Russians had been extremely forthcoming with details of their end of the operation.

John Nakagawa felt a sudden urge to wash his hands, he felt dirty somehow. He stood up and turned to the big windows behind his desk. It was late afternoon, the garden, which looked so lovely in the spring, was starting to, what was the word he was looking for?

Wither, that's the word. The grass was dull, the leaves were turning brown, winter was not far away. He was beginning to regret taking this office. He shook his head, then turned from the window.

After retiring from the Air Force, he and Hiroko had purchased a small home in the mountains, outside Colorado Springs. Originally from California, Nakagawa had fallen in love with Colorado when he was at the Air Force Academy. There was something about those mountains that drew him to them.

He had gotten involved in local politics in a small way, he had become a spokesman for a group fighting against a development which would have destroyed a large woodland area. Somehow that had brought him national attention which led to him eventually being appointed Secretary of the Interior.

When things had started to go south with the previous administration, well, it was a lack of any sort of administration really, everything seemed to go in favor of those with the big money, the government didn't really seem to be listening to the common people anymore. He had gotten on board with those who wished to change things. First with the Secretary of Defense, who Nakagawa quickly realized was engaging more in a lust for power than a chance to correct things.

He finally did go into the restroom to wash his hands, he scrubbed and scrubbed, but it didn't help. Drying his hands, he then went back to his desk.

"Nancy, send in Bill Aspinall, would you?"

"He's over at the Pentagon, Sir, he's supposed to be back in about 30 minutes."

"Alright, as soon as he's back."

"Yes Sir."


Bill Aspinall was staring out the car window as they made their way back from the Pentagon. He wasn't really seeing anything, what he had heard from Admiral Choe was eating away at him.

The Navy had a rather large presence in California, so Choe, as head of ONI¹, had a lot of sources in that state. It seemed that there was a move afoot in Sacramento to secede from the United States, whether or not President Nakagawa was "approved" by the referendum he had insisted upon.

He understood the President's reasoning, he had not been elected to the office, there were many reports floating around about his use of violence to get to the Presidency. There were those who wanted to return to the way things had been, where corruption and graft were the rule, not the Constitution.

Aspinall wasn't looking forward to telling the President this latest news. It seems they really were battling a Hydra, cut one head off, and two more would spring into being.

"Damn it, we need more swords," he said out loud.

"Sir?"

"Nothing Andrew, I'm just thinking out loud."

Andrew Collins glanced in the rear view mirror, his boss had a lot on his plate these days. He'd worked in Washington for years, most of the people he'd driven around the city scarcely knew his name, Aspinall was different, he cared about people. It was refreshing to work for someone like that.


The President rubbed his eyes, he could feel a headache coming on, "Are they sure, Bill?"

"Yes Sir. One of the carrier group admirals was up in Sacramento for some function, she's a Californian born and raised. She overheard some politicians talking about negotiating their own trade agreements someday soon. She reported the conversation as soon as she got back to her hotel room."

"Is this sentiment widespread, what do we know about it?"

"The wealthy in the cities like the idea, especially the big shots in L.A., San Francisco, and around the capital. Choe's guy out at Lemoore ..."

"Lemoore?"

"It's the Navy fighter base on the West Coast, it's out in the Central Valley."

"Oh yeah, I understand the Central Valley is pretty conservative."

"Yes Sir, they pretty much despise Sacramento and the cities on the coast, San Diego being an exception. Big Navy town."

The President nodded.

"Choe's guy at Lemoore has heard rumblings about it, seems the locals hate the idea, though many of them think that kicking San Francisco and L.A. out of the country might be a good idea."

"This is going to be a problem, isn't it?" Nakagawa pinched the bridge of his nose, hard, his head was starting to hurt.

"Yes Sir, it certainly could. Admiral Whalen had a suggestion."

"Which was?"

"Martial law."

The President stood up and turned towards the windows, he was silent for a moment. Then he turned, "I'm not going to put an entire state under martial law, Matt Burleson tried that crap in Virginia and Maryland, the people won't stand for it."

"The folks in California might not be so put off if we just placed San Francisco and L.A. under martial law, not the whole state." Aspinall pointed out.

"Why not Sacramento?" The President asked.

"The Admiral didn't think that would be necessary. Roll troops into those two cities and he thinks they'll fold."

"Do we have the troops?"

"Marines out of 29 Palms could cover L.A., we could also use Guard troops. Local boys would be more palatable I think." Aspinall answered.

"We need more intel before we can move, I want a contingency plan in place, in case we need to move quickly. Get on it, Bill."

"Yes Sir."

After Aspinall left, the President grabbed a couple of Advil out of his desk. After downing those he went back to the window. "Maybe Hiroko and I should head out to Camp David for a few days." he thought.

I just need to get out of DC for a bit. "Damn it, it's always something." He muttered as he stared out at the South Lawn.

Outside, it was beginning to drizzle. A gray day becoming grayer still.




¹ Office of Naval Intelligence

44 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. It isn't good, we shall see if it's a bluff or not.

      Delete
    2. Problem IS a Bluff is INTENED to GET Something.

      What's the something?

      Otherwise, it's a growing cancer issue.

      A couple of large cities "exiting themselves" sounds nice BUT they MUST HAVE Daily supplies of water, electricity, food, water purification chemicals and so on.

      Losing that would make a public disaster that MAKES the Big BAD America look like a THUG to many disaffected groups all across the country.

      Personally, even with the MacBeth Handwashing scene (nice BTW) I'd go for a few big wig party wipeouts. Once the party "idea" of succession suddenly costs money and power the bulk will return to the usual liberal muttering around the bongs.

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    3. Incomplete thought. Martial Law affects everybody and more so those who are not even IN the Rebelion Elites. COULD actually brew even MORE support against the Big Bad President when most really don't care, right now. (Sort of the Harris-Trump scenario where most I talk to just want to be left ALONE) The Elites would bunker down or flee to cause trouble later.

      Also, the factor of your military families and relatives that might be living there. Hostages perhaps?

      Elites often think they can "Hold those cards well".

      If not given a "special party favor" or three. I've seen smaller anti-terrorist missiles useful for cleaning a party floor well directed can eliminate most of the Elite Big Wigs. Ask a few ISIS Commanders about that.

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    4. Michael #1 - It is a disease to be stopped, but without hurting the innocent if possible. Most break away movements are led by those who can't compete on the big stage but if the stage were smaller ...

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    5. Michael #2 - Special party favor, I like that.

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    6. Was thinking about "potential enemies " assets.

      West coast shipping ports.

      Hollywood

      Disney

      Fake book

      Most hazardous national guard and reserve units.

      I noticed all of California needs 30 percent of their power from outside sources.

      Let alone how much water from outside the state.

      I'd call up the national guard for desert training my self.

      Might give you negotiable advantages.

      Michael

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    7. California has a number of weaknesses, the biggest being the government of the state.

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    8. Sarge, we just saw some pushback by our State Senate against Emperor Norton...ah...Newsom. He called for a special session to push through legislation and both houses of the Legislature pushed back some. McGuire, State Sen. Pro Tem, did cave somewhat saying that IF the Assembly passed the bill and sent it to the Senate he would call a special session of the Senate. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-05/democratic-rebels-test-newsom

      A rare display of dissension in the ranks.

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  2. He should feel dirty, he conspired in extrajudicial killings.

    First, by all means required, enforce every section of Article IV of the U.S. Constitution.

    Then take control of the ports in SF and LA. That includes rolling stock and railroad and interstate highway right of ways.
    If CA bigwigs want to secede, they will have no say in the ports et al becoming installations of the U.S. of A.
    All airports which have received FAA AIP monies remain under full authority of the U.S.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As to your first, sure he did, which is why he feels remorse. Unlike those he fights, he isn't evil.

      Article IV, roger that.

      Your last point, oh yes. I doubt the California politicians have the stones to fight back.

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    2. Quite right. I feel it myself. It is widely common among men to become a hunter killer of evil. How to reckon that with ethics and morals is one I haven't solved.
      Fortunately, we do not limit the abundance of the grace of God.

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    3. God's grace is the only thing I count on.

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    4. Fortunately it is all that is truly needed.
      BG

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  3. Extrajudicial killings done against those engaged in treason? Don't have a problem with it even though it will weigh on the conscience. For those committing treason... FAFO.........excuse me please Sarge.

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    Replies
    1. Yes indeed, FAFO should be the guiding philosophy here.

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  4. Gotta agree with N12 on just rewards for certain people who work really hard for it.
    BUT, even when those people who have sold their souls and committed Evil among their own country men,
    It is a Good sign that the one in charge is pained to the core and wishes there was a better, cleaner way.
    I wish we had Leaders that at the center of their being are as good as John Nakagawa.
    I think our world would be far different than the one we see today.
    God Bless you and yours Sarge, Great story, keep the muse Happy!
    MSG Grumpy

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    Replies
    1. Nakagawa is the guy I'd want in charge. (He's a composite of a lot of people I've known over the years.)

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    2. Doing the “needful” is one description of a good guy tasked to do a dirty job. In extremis, not necessarily to be acknowledged if successful, such tasks easily preclude one from future “official company”.
      When this “needful” business concludes, hope Nakagawa goes off to a peaceful & secluded self-exile in Colorado.
      Sarge, I'd sign on with Nakagawa for the old "anything-anywhere-anytime". Consider yourself indeed fortunate if Nakagawa is “a composite of a lot of people known over the years”.

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    3. I do consider myself fortunate.

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  5. i've always been a "if it aint broke don't fix it" guy. but,,, it's complicated.

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    Replies
    1. On the big stage it's always complicated. But yeah, if it ain't broke ...

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  6. a carpenter buddy of mine used to say "if you're sliding down a roof and you are going to fall off, you gotta try something".

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  7. If you're going to take action against those bad guys everybody needs to know why, especially after the last group of traitors all died.
    I guess this President could just fix the problems and deal with the fallout...however it ends up... I hope your muse can figure a way out of this one!

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  8. Far be it from me to disagree with a President trying to do the right thing under circumstances, but I might suggest Sacramento be added to the list. While the wealth is largely elsewhere in the Bay Area and the Greater LA basin, Sacramento is the political center and thus would be the lead for such actions. And maybe not even martial law - as noted above, seize/interdict the ports. That will end a substantial part of the trade.

    As may not always be recognized, a great part of California is populated by sensible people once you move away from the coast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know some of those sensible folk. Most don't live in L.A. or San Fran.

      The President has a number of options, it may not even be necessary to impose martial law.

      Delete
    2. TB, while political power is given a legitimacy in Sacramento, the real centers of political power are San Francisco and Los Angeles. And Los Angeles is a relative newcomer as a center of political power. California used to be run exclusively by the San Francisco Burnton Machine (Tammany Hall West). Only with the recent rise of a Latino Machine in Los Angeles, and its rise to power, has the real political power drifted somewhat from San Francisco.

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    3. The power always lies with the money. Sometimes the politicians are in the same place, drawn like scavengers to a carcass.

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  9. There is precedence, from San Francisco no less, of the Federal government declaring martial law to stop crime/corruption/breakaway sentiments. In fact, San Francisco descended into madness twice, both times Committees of Vigilance formed and shut down the crime and corruption before Federal troops could get to the city. Military 'governors' took control, thanked the CoVs, and then worked for about a year then handed power back to the citizens.

    Though, admittedly, that was in the 1850's.

    You can shut down a wayward city these days, relatively easily, without declaring martial law. Just stop all federal monies and assistance to said wayward cities. Shut down the graft and corruption and payola pipeline.

    Thing is, the President needs more intel. Just acting on 'we've heard that...' isn't good enough, yet. More intel, identify the conspirators, and then do a snatch and grab on the jackwagons using Fed law enforcement officials. Cutting the head off the snake might shut things down without having to do martial law on a modern city with lots of available vehicles and communications capabilities.

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    Replies
    1. More intel is needed, Nakagawa isn't the type to go half cocked.

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  10. Not sure where this is going, but I'd be happy to cast Los Angeles and San Francisco and their parasitic pervert inhabitants adrift. But, the sane Californians are okay to stay.
    JB

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    Replies
    1. And yet...even in those places there are decent people. Kurt Schlichter lives in LA.
      BG

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    2. There are decent people there, which is why they need saving from the evil which would engulf them.

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    3. Pretty sure Kurt will save himself.
      BG

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  11. Simply Superb, Sarge! You have a real novel here,

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  12. I wouldn't lose any sleep over those clowns in Switzerland. They didn't care how many they were going to kill or injure in France.

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Just be polite... that's all I ask. (For Buck)
Can't be nice, go somewhere else...

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