Lethal Trajectories - Michael Conley [153]
“It’s a crying shame, Wellington, and something that never would’ve happened if our president had stood up to them in the first place. The only real deterrent we have to their aggression is Israel, and I’m sure they’re not comforted by the lip service McCarty gave them the other night. How can they expect the United States to defend them when we won’t even defend ourselves?”
“I agree, Senator. Here we are, the most powerful nation in the world, caving in to those two-bit sand pounders. Worse, we team up with Red China and then agree to let an outside source tell us how much oil we get to use. What’s wrong with this picture?”
“Don’t forget,” added Collingsworth, not to be outdone, “we’re also setting aside more oil from our own domestic supply than any other nation. Let’s see: we don’t have enough oil to supply our own needs, but we’re giving it away anyway?”
“We’ve completely forgotten the well-thought-out principles of my Pax-Americana philosophy, Senator, and we’re paying dearly for it now. What’s wrong with taking care of our own people first?”
Veronica rolled her eyes. You could always count on Crane to shill for his own brand first.
“I wish it would stop there, Wellington, but it won’t. Call me a conspiratorial nut if you want, but I think this is the start of a new dictatorship in America. We can kiss our freedom and liberties good-bye. Does anyone really think it’ll stop with gas rationing? Believe me, Wellington, this is only the start. You might as well throw away the Constitution, because it’ll be worthless if McCarty has his way.”
“You know, Senator, I’ve been branded by the liberal media as being unpatriotic because I refuse to go blindly along with whatever the McCarty administration says. Never mind that we’re supposed to have free speech in this country; never mind that ours is a system of checks and balances; never mind that we’re starting to look like the German people in the thirties when Hitler stripped away their liberties, supposedly for their own good. It’s outrageous, Senator. The truth is that no one in this country is more patriotic than me.”
“I know what you mean, Wellington. I’m in the same boat in the Senate. The leadership and even many of my colleagues are telling me to keep quiet and go with the flow. I think their actions are unconscionable, and I despise them.”
Wow, those are harsh words even for Collingsworth, Veronica thought.
“That’s why I’m pleased to announce today, good people, that Senator Tom Collingsworth and I will soon embark on a national campaign we’re calling ‘Taking Back America.’ Our aim will be to restore truth and honor in our country and offer a reality check on the runaway McCarty cartel that the liberal media just won’t give you. We’ll tell you more about it throughout the show.”
Veronica heard all she wanted to hear. They’re in total denial. Worse, they’ll attract large numbers of people who agree with them. What a contrast to the good work that Bill Princeton and his team are doing. Crane and his ilk are despicable—no other word for it.
Despite her arrival a good forty-five minutes before the Life Challenges meeting, Pastor Veronica had to troll the lot for a place to park, as someone had already parked in her stall. Martha Earling greeted her as she walked in the door.
“The phone just hasn’t stopped ringing, Pastor Veronica, and as you can see the lot is almost full. I bet we’ll have 250 people here tonight, and I’ve asked Waldo to hook up the television to accommodate extra people in the fellowship hall. I hope that’s okay.”
“Good job, Martha, I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Veronica said, giving her a little hug before heading to the general meeting room to work the crowd, as she’d come to think of it. She had never seen so many new faces at a meeting, and she tried hard to listen to their stories before adjourning to her office for a few minutes.
She had fifteen messages on her phone and decided to answer them later. She needed a few minutes of quiet prayer and reflection to prepare for the meeting. Sitting