————————-

The issue of consistently decreasing voter turn out in the United States since the 1950s is of growing concern to every American, regardless of their demographic or political alignment. Despite that trend, in very recent history, voter turn out spiked dramatically during the presidential election of 2008, after a highly contentious campaign, highlighted by intense electioneering from Republican candidate Senator John McCain, and the then Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama.

Another high profile, and highly contested election day, the mid-term elections, occurred on November 2nd, 2010 in which the Republican and Democratic parties did everything in their collective powers to incite as many voters to the polls, to vote on various state representatives and local ballot initiatives. Or, were these candidates perhaps doing what they can to keep voters away? Generally on average, voter participation in mid-term elections range from 30 to 40% of registered voters, [McDonald] and around 50% in presidential elections. [Education]

What are some potential factors in reasons why eligible voters are not turning out in numbers consistently during elections over the past 50 years, and what do these voter turn out percentages represent? Are politicians on either side of the political spectrum given the means to convince voters to stay away?

Economic and political conditions indicated good reasons for voters to turn out in larger than average numbers during the Presidential election of 2008. Incumbent president George W. Bush, winner of two highly controversial elections of 2000 and 2004 inspired voters to voice their desire for change in electing Barack Obama. Voter attendance was up almost six percent for the election of 2008, signaling the largest increase in voter participation since 1992.

Personally, as a voter with great interest in the state elections on November 2nd 2010 in California, I noticed via the media, a certain amount of highly charged rhetoric from both sides of the political spectrum, but a decidedly more charged version of that rhetoric stemming from one side. And it made me think. Has this rhetoric served as the catalyst for the formation of new conservative political parties, inspired a new defiance of state and national government, and created a culture of fear that could, if not balanced by reasonable fact based political coverage, actually inspire apathy among voters. Or violent, politically charged behavior among troubled citizens.

Because data indicates that half of registered voters do not participate in general elections, are voters just flat out mislead and confused, therefore choosing not to vote? Could lack of comprehensive non-biased media coverage, angry or cynical political rhetoric issued by various media commentary, confusing political parties with radical core values, combined with general public mistrust of the political system actually be keeping voters away?

Let’s first examine a few examples, factors, and regulations with historical precedence that determine how average citizens receive their political coverage.

According to Martin Kaplan, the director of media studies at the Norman Lear Center in the Annenburg Communications and Journalism school at USC, Americans tune in daily to their local news to receive information about state, national, and international events. Local news stations are granted free broadcasting licenses by the Federal Communications Commission based on their agreement to provide local viewers with free information about community issues. This is deemed important by the FCC as a public service to viewers.

In August and September of 2009, the Norman Lear Center conducted a study of local Los Angeles TV stations during a time when Los Angeles County was suffering from an intense budget crisis. The study recorded their local news broadcasts for a two week period, 24 hours a day, then analyzed the content discussed within each stations broadcast. The study broke down each newscast into an average of a thirty minute block of news, each stations topics were categorized into coverage of state and local government, sports, soft news, weather, entertainment, teasers of upcoming stories, and advertising time allotted.

The study found that on average, the eight local television stations that were catalogued dedicated roughly 22 seconds of each half hour to local civic and government issues. [Lear] These issues ranged from coverage on local budget, law enforcement, education, city and state governmental issues. Of the averaged thirty minute chunk of broadcasting, roughly fifteen minutes was devoted to sports, weather, advertising time and teasers on upcoming stories. This finding was alarming as at the time of study, Los Angeles was in the midst of a budget crisis, an issue that seemingly has deep implications on the publics well being.

In a video presentation posted to YouTube, reporting the studies findings uploaded March 2010, Kaplan makes the point that the head of a group of representatives speaking on behalf of the TV stations studied stated to the FCC that “there is no such thing as the public interest. We broadcasters as content creators monitor what the public wants on a daily basis.” In answer to that Kaplan brazenly states, “What the public wants. Well, I want ice cream, I need a well balanced meal. Apparently, the people of Los Angeles, want, twenty two seconds about their local government. Maybe if they got more than that, they’d want more than that.” [Kaplan]

Kaplan’s assertions imply that a more informed citizen population on their local government would increase voter turn out in state or local elections, based on a voters knowledge of the issues, and the idea that these issues personally affect them.

Can similar issues exist in private cable television coverage of national politics? Could radical and non-comprehensive coverage of national politics be another contributing factor to general voter malaise?

Fox News, regularly billed as the voice of the conservative agenda in the United States sports various conservative personalities and bills its coverage as “fair and balanced”. A particularly emergent voice from amongst its group of on air personalities is charismatic show host Glenn Beck. Beck’s radio and television programs often times focus on conspiracy theories involving the United States government, or President Barack Obama. His, and the Fox Networks ratings led to the August 2010 Restoring Honor rally at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Beck hosted the rally, with the intention to, in his words “reclaim the civil rights movement”. [Elliott]

Beck’s TV and radio shows often times focus on conspiracy theories that involve philanthropy groups which, in his opinion, are working to undermine the ideal of capitalism. In July 2010, Byron Williams was arrested after a shootout with police on Interstate 580 in Oakland, California. According to Williams, angered by “ the way Congress was railroading through all these left-wing agenda items“ , was on his way to attack the Tides Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union offices in downtown San Francisco. [Jabali-nash] Williams was armed with several automatic weapons, and has a criminal history. He was apprehended after injuring two Oakland Police Department officers.

Glenn Beck repeatedly denies having any direct involvement in instructing his viewers to openly attack any specific persons or organizations. Yet, according to Media Matters dot Org, Beck regularly mentions specific organizations and those organizations plans to directly attack him. [Strupp] His on air rants are often times angry, and deeply defiant against President Obama on various religious, social, and political grounds. In the Byron Williams situation, Williams himself was interviewed by Media Matters dot org in which he said specific Glenn Beck programs influenced his decision to carry out his attack.

It should be noted that it is not the fact that there are dissenting opinions or political parties that are openly exercising their differences via the media. That is a natural exercise of politics. But it is the basis on which media entities present these conflicts that is alarming, or not covering them at all, that is detrimental to voter turn out. Within this charged or absent coverage, there seems to be no aim on reaching a broad and beneficial consensus. Politicians in turn, utilize this media, or lack of, to formulate and substantiate their policies.

This is important to highlight because if any political process utilizes angry rhetoric, or lack of consistent coverage, as a barometer for creating policy, this is perceived by the general public as its politicians not working to reach broad and beneficial compromise, that divisive politics and policies are the norm. That attributes to voters perception that the process is not worth getting involved in, and doesn’t directly relate to them. This condition lends itself to consistent decline in voter participation during elections, with the exception being in 2008.

“Let us move from the era of confrontation to the era of negotiation.”
-Richard Nixon.

In an attempt to turn around drastically declining voter turn out rates at the polls, the Reagan Administration in the 1980s eliminated many laws pertaining to governance regarding the amount of time, and type of coverage devoted to the political parties via the media in the United States. The Equal Time Rule and Fairness Doctrine both were pieces of legislation enacted by the FCC in an attempt to provide the public with accurate, credible, and non-partisan coverage of political candidates and issues. These guidelines were relaxed and ultimately rescinded in an effort to combat what was called voter freeze. [Limburg] Despite the relaxation of these guidelines, and a shift towards private cable television political coverage with less content restriction, voter turnout continued to decline. Attempts to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine were thwarted by both President Ronald Reagan and President George HW Bush in the late 1980’s and 1990’s. [Fletcher]

In the 1990s private cable television media took to task initiatives to raise awareness towards a low turn out demographic, that of aged 18 to 24 year old voters. On average, this demographic represents itself at the polls in numbers varying from roughly 35 to 50 percent in presidential elections. [CIRCLE] Various programs such as Rock the Vote were geared towards mobilizing young voters to the polls. However, there was criticism of these programs by right wing media as mobilizing liberal voters, or mandating teenagers to vote liberally.

We have established some very strong social agents, or lack of, at play in the United States, whose goals are to shape the publics’ opinion about their political beliefs, presumably with the intention of attracting as many voters as possible. Or not. Without involving a discussion about the need to change, or a means to change those social agents to better serve the public, lets highlight changes within the political process itself, in efforts to enhance voter interest and turnout.

Perhaps a most extreme remedy to improving voter turn out in the United States is to make voting a mandatory process for all registered voters. This is the case in Australia for instance, where voter turn out is 98% consistently for each of its elections. [Rosenberg] Those who do not vote face a small fine. Voters, if disenchanted with the balloted candidates can also write in a vote for whomever they wish. This could fundamentally change the way political campaigns in the United States are organized, funded, and carried out due to the simple fact that politicians could no longer expect voter apathy in carrying out, or campaigning on potential policies. The implication that certain politicians rely on voter apathy comes from the negativity in which some politics are covered within the current form of US media.

Some would argue that mandatory voter participation would challenge the fundamental right of freedom of choice in becoming involved with the political process. However, while eliminating the choice to attend the polls, requiring voter participation in elections could increase accountability for everyone involved, from policy makers, to those whom would benefit from those policies, to those who provide coverage of those policies. This substantiates the notion that politics is of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Voter participation in the 18 to 24 year old demographic has been remarkably low, for the last two decades consistently, with an upsurge in 2008. One possible remedy to maintain and build upon the upsurge in this demographic, is to include state or even federal ballot initiatives that would consistently attract these young voters to the polls. In 2008, Barack Obama represented a candidate that appealed to a wide range of voter demographics. He is a young man who is well educated and worked as a community organizer in Chicago, working in underprivileged neighborhoods to better their conditions. He is well spoken, compassionate, and also confident that his ideals would benefit many, even those he doesn’t represent directly with his politics.

President Obama represents a political figure which inspires many to become involved in the political process (myself included). Using that same ideal, there certainly exists voter initiatives and issues that resonate with the young voter, particularly social or environmental causes. These issues, if presented properly on a state or national ballot, would inspire more of their attention, interaction, and involvement.

One such ballot initiative, or group of initiatives, could be more robust public funding for the arts. In introducing a state or federal ballot initiative that increases public funding for an entity like the National Endowment for the Arts, or creates a new entity all together, a young voter would feel empowered by directly casting a vote towards an issue that they feel directly affected by, and could directly benefit from.

A survey via Grant Makers for the Arts, working closely with the National Endowment for the Arts, finds during a 1998 survey, coinciding with an attempt by the House of Representatives to eliminate the NEA all together, that 60% of Americans believe the arts should be funded more by federal government grants. [Dimaggio] By introducing federal legislation that increases grants awarded to foundations, schools, and individuals, a voter demographic such as the 18 to 24 year old voter would be mobilized to the polls, voting on policy that directly affects their lives.

Campaign finance reform is also another issue that could benefit voter involvement. The average cost of running a political campaign in the United States, say for example, for a House of Representatives seat, is currently in the millions of dollars [Birnbaum] largely because of costs associated with television advertising. By lowering, or capping the amount of money needed to, or that could be spent during the course of a campaign, whether that campaign is for a House of Representative, Congressional, or Presidential position, this opens the door to candidates that may not be, for whatever reason, financially able to participate at the level of a multi-millionaire. Thus by including more candidates from more walks of life, the political process becomes much more inclusive and represents a more broad spectrum of issues.

Americans will always be deeply interested in the political process, whether by passing fancy or close quarters. Our people share a core value of fairness and justice, however politics are covered by our mediums, or represented by our elected officials. It is healthy to examine and improve the political process to represent and enable more people to become directly involved. There is much talk in private conservative media today about conspiracies, and a break down of our political process, without much effort in looking forward or hypothesizing about how our process can improve, reach compromise, or enhance itself to be more representative. In using terms such as conspiracy so flippantly in coverage of state and federal government, failing to cover these processes accurately, or at all, voters are being chased away from their political process, by a private media that has other interests, and a public media that aims to keep things private.

“It does not matter what we say or do; it matters only what is reported about what we say or do.” [Miller]
- Jon Stewart, during the Rally to Restore Sanity and or Fear

Works Cited

McDonald, Dr. Michael. Data Visualization at The Pew Center on the
States. 1 Jan. 2007. Pew Charitable Trusts. 8 Nov. 2010 .
Education, Pearson. National Voter Turnout in Federal Elections: 1960-2008 –
Infoplease.com 1 Jan. 2008. Pearson. 7 Nov. 2010 .
Lear Center, Norman. USC Annenberg | Lear Center Report: sports & weather,
crime, fluff dominate L.A. TV news. 11 Mar. 2010. University of Southern
California. 24 Oct. 2010 .
Kaplan, Martin . YouTube – New Lear Center Study on Local TV News. 16 Mar.
2010. YouTube. 25 Oct. 2010 .
Elliott, Phillip. Glenn Beck Rally, ‘Restoring Honor’, Stirs Controversy . 26
Aug. 2010. Huffington Post. 6 Nov. 2010 .
Jabali-nash, Naimah. California Highway Gunman Byron Williams Aimed for
“Revolution,” Says Cops – Crimesider – CBS News. 21 July 2010. CBS
Interactive INC. 2 Nov. 2010 .
Strupp, Joe. Psychiatrists: Beck Conspiracy Show Raises Concerns About Viewer
Reaction | Media Matters for America. 21 Oct. 2010. Media Matters for America . 1 Nov. 2010 .
Limburg, Val E. FAIRNESS DOCTRINE – The Museum of Broadcast Communications.
2010. MBC. 6 Nov. 2010
.
Fletcher, Dan . A Brief History of the Fairness Doctrine – TIME. 20 Feb. 2009.
Time Inc. 2 Nov. 2010 .

CIRCLE >> Youth Voting. 2006. The Center for Information & Research on
Civic Learning and Engagement. 6 Nov. 2010
.
Rosenberg, Matt. Compulsory Voting. 2010. The New York Times Company. 3
Nov. 2010 .
Dimaggio, Paul , and Becky Pettit. Surveys of Public Attitudes toward the Arts
| Grantmakers in the Arts. 9 Nov. 1998. Grantmakers in the Arts. 1 Nov.
2010 .
Birnbaum, Jeffrey H. Cost of Congressional Campaigns Skyrockets
(washingtonpost.com). 3 Oct. 2004. The Washington Post Company. 8 Nov.
2010 .
Miller, Nancy. ’Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear’ best lines and quotes –
Associated Content – associatedcontent.com. 1 Nov. 2010. Associated
Content, Inc. Yahoo! News Network. 9 Nov. 2010
.

so, i didnt finish a couple things in the time i wanted to… namely, HIRMv5.. Neo BeBop Chance Music Construction, Flight Orchestra’s last version of How I Realized Myself. well, its finished as in recorded but its not packaged in a consumable way at this point, whatever that means. the first four versions are available for free (and always will be) via flight orchestra . com… v5 will be finished in a releasable product by the end of the year. that is a safe and very attainable target… i still dont know if i will “sell” it per se, but i do want a packaged “thing” to be able to eventually play shows again with, maybe organize around, etcetera, etcetera….

my “rockshoegaze” project, David Wilson and the Bring Lions has turned out remarkably engaging, at least to me (and sorta diverted my attention away from HIRMv5). I made a mistake artistically, when a few years ago, i decided not to play guitar for some period after it being the first instrument i dedicated myself to. this was stupid and very, very arrogant on my part. i was reminded via other very artistic friends on just how amazing of an instrument it is… coupled with what you would consider traditional rock n roll instruments, of which i have experience playing
(drums, guitar, bass)

in terms of that history, i was a drummer in a couple of bands in Los Angeles a few years ago… namely for a group called Cider then turned the RBI’s… fronted by two wonderful girls whom i hope to make music again with in the future, Karla and Amy Blume. and as a sit in for Get Set Go while they were looking for a new drummer
(i think they were Vermicious K at the time)
more recently, I also played drums for a project called We Are A Rook that was, at the time, myself and Elijah B. Torn

In terms of guitar, my first band was called Mindframe, which originated in Saugus, California. I played guitar and sang (screamed) while having extremely formative experiences with Scott Gillies, Kevin (my brother) and Derek Gledhill. we played alot around the LA scene, and once with the band Far, that was rad. I remember following the band Fractional Importance around, Doug their lead singer would let me come with them early to shows so i was able to get to know different rooms around LA and people. I remember System of a Down, Incubus, Coal Chamber, StaticX, Hoobastank (when they had a trombone player) and Pappa Roach off the top of my head as being super indie at the time and pretty good, though my band never played with any of them. System of a Down was by far the pick of that litter (still is) and Serj their singer was super nice to me in the couple times I happened to see him around the scene.

Anyway, Fractional’s bassist at the time, John Holiday, was remarkable and an influence of mine. Kevin their drummer, and Doug all together made one of the greatest indie bands i have ever heard… these days, Doug and Derek (brothers) play in a band called un:armed, who are rad. Flight Orchestra has gigged a couple times with them…

Scott Gillies plays with shredder Josh Russell in The Next 56 Miles
Skot played me their record a few weeks ago at his flat, its pretty tight. Josh plays a bunch of instruments too, he is amazingly talented. Josh Russell and I had a jam about a few times before i played drums in the afore mentioned groups..

After that, I played guitar and sang in a group called Flew, with my dear friends Joel Davis and Jason Kuhlman. These are some of my most cherished, if explosive memories. we performed primarily in the Launch Pad scene centered at Mr. T’s Bowl, in Highland Park, CA. and happened around bands like The Peak Show, Hidden, the afore mentioned Get Set Go, and Arlo, who were on Subpop at the time. The boys in Arlo were generous enough to let me tag along with them on one of their tours which is where Flight Orchestra was born. Flew’s biggest show i think was the chance to play a secret show with the Breeders, which was awesome. Joel has a rad picture with the Deal sisters somewhere.
Joel and Jason are like brothers to me still, to this day

the birth of Flight Orchestra led to myself and Octavius Poirier starting club DataAge… which is a whole other story!

these were all very formative experiences, and doing my Lions project reintroduced me to writing songs via guitar, bass, and drums.. something i walked away from thinking i was progressing on to something better and somehow more expressive… i was wrong

David Wilson and the Bring Lions’ name comes from my name of course, and the title of a song from one of my favorite bay area bands Cloud Archive
they are fucking phenomenal and wonderful humans
Bryan Von Reuter is also one of my favorite artists and a good friend

i am currently tracking my voice to the Lions, and will hopefully perform to support that record too, you can hear that on my website
i am proud of it and its a good step

My next project will be a punk rock record, under the name: Dareplane… i am looking to examine the bay area punk scene up close and perhaps get involved in a small way… i remember hearing about this scene years ago when i was living/performing in LA

I feel like all these artistic endeavors will converge again at some point into one thing… but the road seems really interesting and challenging.

i start university next week, and will be doing alot of maths.
i urge you to challenge yourself and your beliefs.
-david wilson

“we will not give up too soon….. not in our finest hour”

I knew that look all too well, i got it every once in awhile.. though not so much anymore..

i glanced around at the courtyard… an english afternoon gave mid-spring a balance… warmth in the sun.. cool in the shade. clouds rushing, clearing, rushing again…somehow i felt that way too.

“Drink… drink..” Camille insisted

And i put my coffee towards my lips and drank a sip..bitterness, then sweet of sugar.

Two trees were directly behind our small table at the edge of the perfect square courtyard. both were equal somehow in height.. that could not be natural i thought. a wall surrounded the courtyard that pulsed softly flickering murals, which rotated, swiped, and changed all together in slow random patterns. sometimes the wall became translucent, revealing the bustling London street outside, other times it became reflective

though on my third cup of coffee after a long flight i was relaxed..

i smelled fried food… somewhere, fish or something battered… and curry and was hungry. Camille knew it

“Youre hungry, we should go.” She said…

“Mmmm not just yet…” i stretched my legs underneath the small, round, french style cafe table and touched the toe of my shoe to Camille’s. she wryly smiled.

Camille glanced above her, small rain drops beginning to peck upon her forehead.
“Shit” she whispered, pressed her palm against her forehead slowly, to dry off

A translucent sheet extended a quick canopy over the courtyard, hardly making a sound

I looked up, the rain was more aggressive…. with spells of calm

I laughed, and touched Camille’s forehead, following up what she had missed…she didnt care
“Great, now we have to walk in this. Isnt that a song…”
Camille stirred her tea…thinking of going home…

The sky purpled and darkened progressively in late afternoon, Camille and I chatted over a meal, about everything and nothing… lights emerged and the atmosphere was sporadically lit by lightening, occasionally reminded by thunder… nature wanted in..

“Give me a moment, then we’ll run okay?” Camille said, arising and leaving the courtyard, her mobile in hand to tend to a matter

I propped my face in my hand, elbow resting against the small cafe table and glanced about the now empty area, other patrons having since moved on about their day… when the motion murals allowed me, i saw umbrellaed passersby on the street making their way to Hyde Park… some folks wearing blue scarves with “The Bridge” inscribed…..

“why did i ever, ever leave this?”

a quick flash and suddenly the power in the area was interrupted, then lost completely… the canopy sheet above me disappeared, rain pounding the exposed courtyard

Nicolau, i knew his shadow immediately….
emerged from an opposite entrance and stood for a moment, assessing the area like a lurking escaped animal. I slowly stood up from my table but remained close, perhaps my chair could be a weapon…i remembered the long, long ago feeling of being out-gunned…
fear was my friend

Rain continued to drum the confront cadence
Nicolau walked slowly towards me, arriving to my table…
delivered a very mechanical glare directly into my eyes as if deeply scanning my soul….perhaps a mission of sub-missions.. systematically, reached in his jacket chest pocket, simultaneously I reached behind me for a firm grasp on my chair..
i had given up carrying a weapon many, many years ago, along with my association to Nico and his businesses…
this bird was not cold

Nico held out a small, crumpled and taped together piece of paper that, was at some point long ago, indented into four parts… and placed it gently on the cafe table. the rain slowly washing away its contents.

“You’re no good to turn to, now everything’s changed”
he said, paused…
“You were right”

Nicolau turned around…and walked away

Robert leaned back into his soft leather chair….tilted backwards towards the window shielding a remarkably scenic view of Moscow, evening, bustling, oil burning….

the hotel ukrania spares no expense to its semi-permanent guests

I took a long drag upon a fantastically powerful cigar, i would wager Castro’s finest… stretched my legs forward from the plush couch, underneath an ornate glass topped table and dreamed like a czar….
the only accoutrement would be Françoise Hardy as my personal, uninterrupted guest…. note to self, that could be arranged

Moscow and heir Robert had made me intoxicated in so many ways….

“Your trip to Paris was fruitful?”
Robert assertively leaned forward in his large chair…

I snapped to…
“Yes, i wasnt there for very long. I did have a very fruitful discussion with our multi-national friend. He was very hurried and didnt have many of details but the plans seem in place. Ours to win he said. Good terms. No conspiracies, no regrets, the sun never sets…”

“Poetic if not charming. You Brazilians can kill with kindness..”
Robert grunted

My eyes darted but I continued having my way….
“I went to Lyon next. Thought of football, so i brought you this.”
Going towards my bag, a green and white scarf and other assorted matching team things.

“Michel says hello.” was my punctuation to careful thought…

Robert took the gifts, dawned the green and white scarf, and finished his vodka straight in one swallow, and poured another…
“Now what the hell am I supposed to do with this Nicolau! This will not do at any CSKA match!”

we both laughed a samba.

My senses returned for a moment…
“Well my trip to USA got all the results we needed.”

Robert and his vodka bottle clinging against his gold rimmed spirits glass… nodded briefly as if already knowing the results….
he did write the game theory after all, and was a top piece, respect and caution are due, no matter how comfortable things get…
i reminded myself by faking a scratch across my chest to assure my pistol was still quickly reachable…I’m positive Robert has the same armament, or, private army in a nearby suite listening attentively..
ive always captivated my audiences..

“Nicolau…. the better bridge. We need to build a better bridge to America.”

I leaned back a moment, surprised.
This was to be a victory celebration between two friends…
not a joint chiefs of staff and strategy meeting..
the traffic from the streets below became louder for a moment, symphonic, then… coda… rest
my heart rate followed close suit…

Robert intensified…
“My friends have compiled data, given the contingency that we will go to war with each other. So far as everything stays according to plan, and NATO behaves as it should…”

“..NATO?”
i interrupted, quickly realizing there was irony in that iron curtain

“Let me finish Nico, let me finish….can i finish?”
the situation defused

“We have friends there too. They were expensive but they are there and credible. America and the Soviets will enter into a conflict that… will result in a magnificent amount of money being accrued, made, spent, loaned.”
he shifted..
“Business is the real solider here. Make no mistake about it. The Soviets are what they are and no amount of mutual destruction will ever change that god given distinction. That makes me so proud Nico… so proud!”

he drank…
i listened but wasnt quite there.

“The better bridge Nico. The Yankee context, born to be wild, dont tread on me, let freedom ring from a cast iron bell hammered with….. well, these things are carefully considered. Fear as friend, and business as their supreme truth. We’ve already won that Cold War. We won it when we separated Yankees out of cities, and demonized others… now, to assure ultimate victory, turn their ideal into their prison.”

i assumed it was rhetorical statement…i had lost the plot

Robert caught the apathy..
“Nico, your joie de vivre makes you the perfect operative, and why i would never work in the field.”

i laughed, fittingly

“The John Wayne, the Ronald Reagan of the United States…. we can buy them you know.”

suddenly the fox had got the scent…

“Who funded their films? Who’s been in business in the United States for decades? Who in their government calls for less and less law and restriction on private citizens? Who paid Joe McCarthy? Who pays the bills Nico?”

“Well, I know that and you know that. Kennedy knew that too…”

“Ah, so….”

We both took a moment
Robert swiveled his chair and faced the window…

“The American’s wrote a check their ass will not cash and we will be there in collections when the time comes.”

I was compelled to stand for a moment
“Robert, the Americans and their new private television….”

“Телеграфное агентство Советского Союза”
And suddenly Robert was another beast…

“We’ve done the work, fear as friend, so that is our victory, without fail. Now, to continue that victory requires the most, special, infiltration possible.”

“Business.. we go into business”
i had grabbed the plot.

Robert smiled calmly having done his work for the evening,
but took the brush to canvass for one final stroke…

“Thankfully, we have friends who arent red, traceable red anyway, who arent Soviets, arent even from Europe whom we’ve funded, who will do exactly that. Target the anti-establishment and make them us. Target their non-science agenda, target and fund them, fund the conspiracy theorists, give them ownership and legitimacy, deeply fund the small government ideal, give them absolute ownership over their private mediums. Their liberal agenda will spend money to fight this and we may have an odd defector, but they will lose as our data supports.”

“Absolute victory means a lawless United States or, a private society. No questions, ownership is absolute and IS THE LAW. We buy the Dow Jones. Buy oil, buy medicine. Keep it until someone, or, something wrestles it away. If we win the military conflict, we absorb it. If business is wrestled from our control, there is a huge cost to do so. It becomes attrition.”
Robert joined his hands together…

“Because Nico, everyone knows ownership means absolute legitimacy, it means legislation, law. Its convenient and a much less bloody war, more humane even. But we’ve won it already. Now time ticks, ours to win, good terms. No conspiracies, no regrets, the sun never sets…”

Some time later, Robert and I approached a teenage boy on a skateboard, who to us, looked homeless in Orange County California, United States.. struck up a quick conversation, handed him a pre-rolled marijuana cigarette, a TransWorld skateboard magazine, and walked quickly away before we were spotted by anyone else…
Next stop, San Diego..

“The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades”

“for what is a man, what has he got,  if not himself, then he has naught
to say the things he truly feels, and not the words of one who kneels
the record shows i took the blows, and did it my way.”

the priest gave the recorded sermon so prophetically it almost made me weep….. the american archetype of John Wayne was so, so true… i hear they are going to name an airport after him….it was truly, truly applicable here…this the land, dare say, the building of what happens staying within its cozy confines…. i was no lovable loser. this is the ultimate boys club, the thing of dreams, the essence of life and definitely worth more than more in the bank for sure….. i had my withdrawal slip completely filled out already….. in my mind

i wasnt as nervous as i had anticipated myself.. or maybe should have been. i was strangely confident… i knew i had the goods and was prepared to deliver to the most fitting recipient. everyone would benefit, nature would take its course, it would do what it does….. i had been tipped to the presence of armed men but it didnt matter…. what did that woman know? aside from how to dress….i was no lovable loser and to be taken very, very seriously… my suit and demeanor would do all the necessary establishment of my intent, vigor, and potential…

after walking past concierge, i could have been invisible aside from an overly friendly bellboy who tipped his funny looking hat and said hello, perhaps he knows the power i carry between these two ears. he definitely recognizes it. i ignored his greeting… he was lesser, not worthy, not big enough, not handsome enough, not daring and certainly not endowed quite enough…. he did not drink coca-cola like me… the real stuff

in the mirrored elevator i breathed deeply, fumbled through my pockets making sure everything was in place (i was allowed to be nervous here, no audience aside from a strange red spot in one of the mirrors, someone should clean that)….

personal inventory
wallet (containing a small fortune of 60 american dollars)
10p (not exchanged for lady luck)
a comb
handkerchief (used for sweat and…other)
pocket knife (unless things got rough)
& a book of matches (for after the deal was sealed)

i was ready…. as i would ever be…

Nicolau greeted me warmly as he always does, exchanged the usual pleasantries and ushered me into his suite. joined there by three  men sitting in the lounge of the room, a shadow of a man sat in the corner by the phone, and yet another dark figure poised in a chair by the large window, the drapes open a small bit. he was wearing expensive looking sunglasses that glinted in the afternoon light,  the devils wink….

myself and four nicely dressed men sat before an ample table discussing small things, laughing, drinking american liquor and telling small stories, what brought them to this stucco, terracotta upon sand and all that….it was true camaraderie and greatness assembled at this table… a small, well endowed army.

there were two russians, definitely eastern european, their names ended with the letter R so my best guess was, Russia. the third, rather quiet, was european but not immediately distinguishable…. my guess in proximity to Nicolau.. Mediterranean. it wasnt important… everyone’s accented english clicked and whirred enough to make one believe they were on a train…the trip to this point, charming.

“Diamonds are forever friend…” Nicolau began, opened his suit jacket and placed a small revolver on the table, which immediately stopped the small talk. the deal had changed…

“yes Nico, ive not brought my pistol today, would have caused quite a stir at Kennedy Airport, though i dont think they would have minded much in Texas. why are there no direct flights from London to Texas?” … i laughed attempting to break the mood. i might as well have broke wind…

“Lets make this short, we’ve all many, many things to do the remainder of our time here. You have made the choice to come and we are very happy you have. What you have brought with you is very important to us…” Nicolau was completely transfixed at the center of my chest. Did he notice that i had been caught off guard? my heart beating  miles out of my chest? he knew the suit was fake…

“Yes Nico I have what you wanted, and i came so quickly because, we are friends. And, the fee.”

“Of course, of course the fee, the fee….” Nicolau glanced to the very quiet fellow who now shifted his position within his seat, now in a position of power..

“Can i see it?” Nicolau softened…. glanced again over towards me as if we were fishing a small stream, as we had done so many times when we were lesser, younger men.

within my suit jacket pocket, i carefully removed the matchbook i had kept so heart close…. Nicolau knew it. i placed the small match book on the table, unfolding slowly… a small, carefully squared piece of note paper withdrew from within…

the collective eyes widened….one of the Russians grunted…  i unfolded the small note, placing it upon the table… Max Shreck, (whom i nicknamed) the diminutive man all of a sudden was a lion.. he too reached into his suit jacket pocket and placed a small revolver (german made) onto the table, along with a small piece of paper, similiar if not identical to mine….a very strong suit
things were beginning to change.

the two russians also produced small pistols and placed them on the table, the cache of weaponry within very easy reach of everyone but myself…..things were changing even quicker now…

“Can you read these two notes please… for me?” Nicolau asked calmly as if he had asked me to compare two comic strips over morning tea and scones… the fucking bastard… Max Shreck nudged the two notes toward my direction with the nose of his pistol..

the notes fluttered slowly, accidentally, off the table…. with a lunge in my quiet desperation i tried to help the situation (i am english therefore helpful)….. the armed men quickly snapped for their pistols and there we were…. in state, as if just crashing several cars together at once
“JESUS CHRIST NICO what the fuck is this?!”
the back of my neck was completely drenched in cold Nevada sweat, easily matching the rooms tone. i commandeered the notes and returned to the demilitarized zone, race track paddock of the table
“They are the same…”
things had changed

the dark figure in the corner received a very well placed phone call, answering the question in a language i didnt recognize…
things had gone horribly… horribly wrong

back through hells’ gate of the golden nugget, myself, Nicolau and my new accented “friends” made our way towards a waiting, chauffeured long car. i was less joining with this group than escorted. Maximum Shreck now loomed very large in my periphery… he stayed uncomfortably close to me.

we drove for a moment (we could have walked) and arrived through a gapping clowns mouth to the Circus Circus casino, exited our prestigious black car and walked inside this romping, bellowing mountain. we could have been the New York Cosmos at that point, hustling with grand purpose through the casino arriving in the show room, and took two tables beneath a high wire act… happening above us…

Nicolau sat very closely to my left and suddenly shoved a pistol just below my rib cage, underneath the table…
“Youve been bought out friend.” he slurred.
“I’ll call the CIA Nicolau, dont think that i wont. I WILL fucking call them. I have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING TO GAIN… i will call them.”

Nicolau punched the pistol further below my ribs as if probing for oil…
“If you survive this, give your friends a call. maybe you can work for them…” a wrinkle of a smile pursing across his face…

A blonde cocktail waitress approached the now loud Russian contingent ( had vodka between casinos) at the adjoining table, whispered something very quickly to one of the men, glanced at me, glanced across the room and walked hurriedly away. it certainly wasnt an order for my vodka… Nicolau looked towards the circus performers above us, now doing a completely asynchronous trapeze act with grace, dignity, and ease…. they looked Russian too..

“Not so unlike what we do… is it friend?” Nicolau introspected.

upon the rooftop, the sun began to sulk lowly over the western hills, it was rather comforting, if not strangely beautiful and familiar, as the image is popular on touristy postcards pelted all over this god forsaken fucking cow town. Nicolau, myself, and Max watched a helicopter approach the heli-pad from the distance, its blades cackling at me as if the bird knew exactly what was going on…. it might be the last thing i ever, ever know…. i stood daydreaming that the moon, on this night, would hang high, giving me something to look up at, rather than eternally looking down over this, or any other tall cliff

“i’ll fly away, oh lordy lord…. i’ll fly away….”

and i thought of England and why the fuck did i ever, ever leave…

The left side of my body and soul hurt…. crushed badly.
Nicolau, strode very confidently beside me… the helicopter now very very close to us, its turbine drowning out and washing away…

“the house always wins friend…. the house always wins.”
and flew away….

]]> http://flightorchestra.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/extreme-sports/feed/ 0 flightorchestra