SECRET SOCIETY

SECRET SOCIETY

I’ve recently moved to yet another large city. This marks the 3rd time I’ve relocated in the last 5 years. I already feel like a criminal on the run, walking the streets night after night searching for similarly minded individuals. I find myself always looking over my shoulder and covering my tracks. I can’t afford to be caught or even associated with other would be criminals; the judge would really throw the book at me if I got caught again. In the good old days I could write about whatever I wanted as a political satirist. We could meet in the light of day to discuss and argue our concerns and grievances. Today, we have a very different set of rules.

During the day I have a respectable but poorly compensated job, but at night and on the weekends, I’m always out searching. I feel kind of seedy, hanging around bad neighborhoods and cheap crowded bars, but you don’t find my kind in churches or at Sunday school.

Every one is very cautious these day’s, the government has a huge network of agents and informants. It wasn’t always this way. As a young man I can remember reading the paper and listening to talk radio, where authors and hosts could freely and openly discuss the politics of the day, even if they disagreed with the party line. All of that is now a thing of the past.

I think it all started around 7 years ago when our country went thru a devastating economic depression. The aftermath drove most media outlets and banks to the brink of bankruptcy. They in turn, gladly took bailout money from the government, but it came at a cost. I guess they didn’t read the fine print. I’m not sure if they realized it at the time but with the money came control, and soon these formally independent businesses became state run and nationalized. To make matters worse, the party in power had an ongoing feud with certain very hi-profile members of the conservative media, and when they gained control they quickly silenced all of their most vocal critics under the guise of equal time for all and letting all voices being heard. (The Fairness Doctrine)

Well, it wasn’t long after that, and the whole complexion of news, and freedom of speech took a huge turn for the worse. Over a very short period of time all information disseminated to the public became edited and “scrubbed”. Radio stations had to toe the line in order to get or keep their licenses. Reporters that deviated from the official talking points were considered “persona non grata” at news conferences. In fact, even their questions had to be pre-screened. Those in charge were very careful not to call their activities censorship, but what would you call it. Only the news and spin that the government wanted the people to know was allowed. Freedom of speech became guarded and dissent against the state soon became a crime.

There are still a few underground papers circulating around that publish the real news. It’s rare to hear the unvarnished truth, especially when the government leaders preferred that the man on the street didn’t know about it. These are the papers and the people I seek in my late night wanderings. I’m willing to risk my own freedom to seek the truth that we at one time took for granted. The average person only knows, and is satisfied with, the information he hears or reads. So, to control the media, is to control and placate the people.

If I could have sent a message out to those bold newsmen and freedom fighters from years past. I would have told them not to go down the path of censorship and control. Free speech and a free press are the very cornerstone of free men. Somebody must have thought it was pretty important to include it in the 1st amendment.
1st Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

“ Knowledge is Power”

Please feel free to contact me at : pooritalianboy@gmail.com

P.I.B.

DAILY NEWS 12/24/08

DAILY NEWS
“AS SEEN BY P.I.B.”

I’ve decided to add a new feature to my blog called: Daily News,( Actually it won’t be daily, it will be more like whenever I feel like reporting it) as seen by P.I.B. I feel compelled to add this feature for several reasons, not the least of which is because there is always something to write about.

Most writers worth their salt, can take a meaty subject and run with it, the problem is coming up with something interesting to write about. Here’s where the daily news comes into play. There is something always happening in the news. In fact, real life is often stranger than fiction (honest, I couldn’t make up half the stuff that happens on a daily basis worldwide).

I know, you are thinking, “If I want news, I’ll turn on CNN or Fox”.. Wrong, you want news in a entertaining format. Hence I.N.N. or “Italian News Network”. (I wanted P,I,B.N.N, or poor Italian Boy News Network, but it just didn’t fit with the whole 3 letter news format) Here at I.N.N. (not I.N.S.) you get news, as seen thru my eyes and warped sense of humor. The Beauty of it is, you know up front that I’m not going to be “Fair and Balanced”. Another plus, you have my word I also will not alter or dilute my editorial comments or contents; or bow to the wishes of large advertisers (until such time as I sign them on ..then I will suck up to them just like the big news channels do)

You know if this whole news anchor thing works out for me, I may even have to change the name of my Blog.. to “Ravings R.I.B”. (Rich Italian boy)..Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it ?

And Now Today’s news: (dateline 12/24/08) ..I always wanted to say that.:

Real Headlines and Real News from the P.I.B. newsroom

Headline: Amtrak train Passengers stranded for 23 hours.

Train passengers were stranded due to inclement weather for up to 23 hours in trains and cold waiting rooms with frozen toilets. Some had little food or water..

P.I.B. Commentary : I can’t picture my self stranded on a train for 23 hours. What were the buried in an avalanche in the Alps..I mean its not like you are on a boat at sea. Why didn’t they walk away, take a greyhound, sled dog, or something. As to the frozen toilets ..no wonder the trains were stranded, it seems the railroad hasn’t discovered heat and running water yet.. (also, anyone with a candle or Bick lighter could have defrosted the toilets and solved the water shortage

Headline: Scientists warn that Christmas lights harm the planet.

Scientists say that Christmas lights use a lot of power and cause emissions that harm the planet.

P.I.B. Commentary : I would have to say to the scientist involved ..”Get a life”, maybe you can get a grant to study the green house effect of leaving a night light on. Also, the same scientist was heard saying “the sky is falling, the sky is falling”

Remember: I couldn’t make this stuff up. That’s it for today from the P.I.B. news room…

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME : POORITALIANBOY@GMAIL.COM

HURRICANES

HURRICANES

I’ve lived in Florida for most of my life and fro the most part, I love it here. What’s not to like: Great weather, sandy beaches, plenty of sun shine and…oh…did I mention the Hurricanes ? Well, when you stop to think about it, no place is perfect. California has got mud slides, Hawaii has lava flows, Iowa has tornados, Oklahoma has floods, and not to pick on California, but they have earth quakes, forest fires, and lots of bad actors.

To be honest we only have 2 seasons in Florida…Hot and Hurricane. Every year between August and October, Floridians hunker down for what we affectionately refer to as “ Hurricane Season”. The forecasters generally tell us if they think we are in for an “active” season or not. Of course they are never right.

Most of the hurricanes start off as tiny areas of weather off the coast of Africa. That is kind of the breeding ground for most of our hurricanes. We usually don’t start tracking them until they get about half way across the Atlantic. I guess hurricanes are like babies. They start off innocently enough as a tropical wave, then progress to a depression, then grow into a tropical storm, and work their way up to Hurricane-dom (is that a word, and why don’t they call them Him-a-canes ?).

Anyway, when they get about half way across the ocean, the weather dudes start tracking them, and giving them a name. They may start off as tropical depression 122, but soon have there own name based on a pre-designed naming schedule…In the last few years we’ve had Ivan, Katrina, Rita, Wilma, and Hillary (ok..just kidding)

Once the storm gathers strength and gets just east of Puerto Rico, the weather guru’s start feeding all the information into a computer and come out with several tracking models. First they get a crew to fly a Hurricane hunter plane thru the storm to get the data. Wow, these must be some brave S.O.B.”s because I don’t know about you, but I get worried when the pilot on a commercial flight turns on the seat belt light, never mind knowingly driving a plane right into a hurricane.

Once the computer models come back the guys at the national hurricane center in Miami get the predicted path of the storm up on their web site ( www.nhc.noaa.gov). It’s about that time that everyone in Florida starts to pay real close attention. The first thing we do is to look at where the weather wienies think the storm will make landfall (of course they change their prediction every 4 hours until it actually happens). Every one in the state usually hits the refresh button on their computer at the same time and we have a power outage. Also, no of us will ever admit it but we are all wishing for the landfall to happen in some other guys county. I’ve found myself saying…come-ooon Mexico.

Anyway, we follow what the trackers call “the cone of uncertainty” which means don’t hold us to it. In any case if we are anywhere within the cone of uncertainty everyone leaves their weather channel on and makes a mad dash down to the gas station to fill up their tanks. For there, everyone heads down to the local grocery store to grab every bottle of water, jar of peanut butter, candle, and battery in the place.

About this time, that old Hurricane is gaining strength and speed, and we are seeing pictures on CNN of huge waves and flooded streets in Hati. Back in the states the local authorities are urging the population of Key West to evacuate, the tourists are heading out in droves, but the residents are just getting the hurricane parties into full swing. News flash…News Flash…you are on a small island that is about 6 inches above sea level, with only one bridge heading north…(but there’s Booze in the blender)

Well the hurricane then usually goes over or around Cuba and slows down a little bit, but then hits the ultra warm water in the Gulf of Mexico and becomes a twister on steroids. Now once that sucker is in the gulf, it becomes a roll of the dice as to who is going to be the host, for the coming on shore party. Southwest Florida, New Orleans, and Texas are almost always in the welcome home, reception line, and then it’s a wait and see game.

In the mean time, we all run around, hyper ventilating and watching the governor on T.V. declaring a state of emergency, because he can’t afford to have looked un-prepared if the thing actually hits in his jurisdiction. The president usually gets on T.V. and declares the region, a natural disaster area, because he doesn’t want to look un-prepared either. And what about those big name T.V. reporters that feel it is good for their career to stand out in the middle of hurricane force winds with no more protection than a yellow rain jacket and a microphone…while palm trees and large mobile homes go sailing by…CRAZY..

Every one is scurrying around buying generators, calling their insurance companies, putting up storm shutters, filling bath tubes with water, making sandbags, and stock piling ice cubes. All the while we are still secretly praying for it to hit somewhere else. The darn things are so big we start feeling the wind and rain from the feeder bands, no matter where it is actually heading.

To tell you the truth, a lot of Floridians have become jaded, and just take the “it will blow over attitude”, not me. I don’t like high water, especially when its in my house. Its no time for me to play hero when mother nature is all pissed off. I hear some of the rednecks down here say : I will only worry if it’s a category 5 Hurricane, my windows are designed to stand up to 149 mile an hour wind….(Yeah..Not if a dump truck is flying thru them.)

For my part, If I think that freak of nature is coming anywhere near where I live, I’m on the first plane out of there. This ain’t Kansas Dorthy..Sorry, but its Vegas baby for me. In fact, some times I’ll even jump on the plane for Sin City if the sky even looks a little cloudy. Call me when its clear skies..
Ok, so maybe dealing with a few Hurricanes is a small price to pay for living in Florida, but if it’s all the same with you….when the wind starts blow’in…I’ll be go’in.. Anybody got a extra guest room ?

P.I.B.

NEWSWORTHY PART 1

NEWS WORTHY PART 1

Today is my 80th birthday and I’m sitting here alone, in my home office. As I look about me, my surroundings tell the story of my life. This morning I’ve been reminiscing over all the awards, pictures, souvenirs, autographed keepsakes, and mementos, and even my Pulitzer prize achieved in over thirty years of my professional journalistic career. Yet out of all my accomplishments, one stands out the most vividly in my mind. One single framed and now faded newspaper article has defined my career. Although it was written many years ago, I can remember it, as if it was yesterday. Here is my story:

I Hardly slept at all that night, hundreds of questions kept running thru my mind. I’VE GOT TO BE THE LUCKIEST BASTARD alive. My editor still can’t believe it. I guess being in the right place at the right time is half of success.

My boss sent me down to the federal courthouse yesterday to get some background information on the big Labell trial. So, here I am down there with about 25 other news people, proudly displaying my newly issued press credentials and a total of 3 weeks field experience.

My instructions were to take a few pictures, and gather some background info on the case, maybe interview a few minor players. To be honest I felt a little outclassed in the presence of the top reporters for CNN, Fox, and the network news correspondence. Yet I was pumped up because this was my first real story to cover and it was big news.

The place was a buzz with activity, reporters, journalists, T.V. cameras and high security. This was the first time that a seated congressmen was indicted for treason. And this was no ordinary representative, this was the senior congressmen from New Jersey. He has been re-elected 4 times and is the head of the prestigious armed services committee. Richard Labell was a high profile politician, and had been on the short list for Vice president in the last election. Labell had also just returned from a top secret visit to Iran, where he met with key officials in an effort to defuse a possible U.S. military action against that country.

Of course the congressmen and his press secretary adamantly denied his involvement in any criminal activities, and had already released several memo’s to the press to substantiate this fact. This could be a very hi-profile long drawn out investigation and trail, the kind that sells newspapers.

Nothing specific had been scheduled for today, but we decided to get involved in the case from the very onset. Having called the congressmen’s office ahead of time, I knew they had not planned a press conference following today’s preliminary hearing. That’s probably why my boss decided to send his most junior reporter to cover today’s activities. The assignment may have seemed a waste of time to our long term correspondents, but I considered today’s assignment a privilege and an opportunity.

Judging by the way the police were pushing the crowd back, I figured that the good Congressmen was about to head out of the court house and down the majestic steps. All the reporters and cameramen were lined up on both sides of the stairs, to get the best coverage as he made his way down to street level.

I knew I didn’t have a chance of even asking a question, being that the make shift reception line was three people deep on both sides. I looked down towards the road and noticed a limo creeping towards the cordoned off parking space right in front of the courthouse. I headed down there and set up shop, right outside the passenger curbside door. The sun roof was opening and I could hear someone yelling from inside the limo. I’m sure I heard… “and I’m not about to let the congressman take this kind of heat for you or anyone else. This kind of scandal could cost you the election. Just remember ..Loyalty is a two way street”

As the congressmen approached, I could hear the repeated chant of : “ No comment, No comment”. It wasn’t long before his security team noticed my proximity to the car and started motioning me away. I explained that I was with the media and just wanted to ask a few questions. As I raised my camera to snap a few photos I felt myself being thrown violently against the side of the car, my face mashed against the window.

I’m not sure if it was sympathy, concern, or fear of making a bad matter worse but suddenly the door of the limo was opened and the occupant invited me inside. Almost without thinking I obediently climbed in and sat down, blood still flowing from my nose. Seconds latter the Congressmen, who witnessed the whole thing entered the car right behind me.

“Sorry if my security boys were a little rough on you. Cant’ be too careful these days.” He handed me his handkerchief and went on to tell me his side of the story as the limo raced away. I could tell that the information he was giving me was carefully scripted and rehearsed. I was cautioned not to take any pictures and I honored their request. The meeting was brief but courteous and the limo dropped me off a dozen blocks latter, in the center of town.

Before I called a cab to take me back to work, I stopped at the Starbucks on the corner for a cup of coffee and took some time to gather my thoughts and take careful notes of our short conversation.

P.I.B.

NEWSWORTHY PART 2

NEWSWORTHY PART 2

I honestly didn’t have a lot of information, but I now had more than the rest of the press had, and that would make my boss happy. The congressmen told me that he was innocent of all allegations and that he felt certain the truth would come out at the trial. I pushed for more information and he cited national security interests as the reason he could not answer. He did make a point of saying that he would not allow his, or anyone else’s best interest, to supersede the best interest of our country.

The very next morning, I bought a dozen copies of our paper, my very first article appeared on page 3. I was very complimentary to LaBell and related the information he gave me in a positive way. I tried to call his office, to get a follow up on the article, but they did not return my call.

Several weeks went by and the case wore on. The press, for the most part, had moved on to more current and pressing issues, as they are prone to do. The new headlines included: an affair by a Governor, the continued decline in the economy, and the steady march to war between the U.S. and Iran. The Iranians were posturing for war, and would not back down. The Pentagon was careful to make its case to the American people that the Iranians were ready to use weapons of mass destruction against Israel. U.S. troops were being rushed to the region and war seemed inevitable.

Not to re-live past successes, but my mind kept going back to the events leading up to my big interview. It was like someone threw a light switch. The congressmen was enjoying unprecedented popularity and good press. He had been regularly doing all the top Sunday morning news shows, and was being scouted by several presidential hopefuls as a V.P. pick again at the next election. Most notably, he had just that week returned from an important trip to the middle east.

My journalists instincts were still being developed, but something inside of me, decided to follow a hunch. That afternoon I left a message at the congressmen’s Washington office that I had information regarding his recent trip and that I planned to publish that info. I would give him 24 hours to meet with me again to discuss his side of the story.

Within hours the same black limo was waiting for me down by the front doors of our offices. This time the Congressmen was alone and seemed much less composed, in fact, he was sweating profusely. He told me about his trip to the middle east, where he met with Irainian leaders. They made it clear that they would back down on there demands and move their troops off the border, but they did not want to look weak in the eyes of their neighbors and the world.

He told me that upon returning to the United States he met privately with the president and relayed their message. The president told him that he had already authorized an attack and was not about to change his plans. Besides the presidents poll ratings had been going down and he felt the people wanted him to stand tall. The congressmen told me that he spent over an hour trying to dissuade the president, to no avail. In fact, he was told that if he mentioned anything about his trip, the president would accuse him of breaching national security and turn the justice department pitbulls loose on him.

The country was heading to war and thousands on both sided would die. It was a war that could be easily avoided. The congressmen was torn between his duty to the president and what he knew was the right thing to do. We talked for about 45 minutes before the limo abruptly stopped again and left me off on the other side of the city. I was concerned about the congressmen’s state of mind, but I had my story.

The next morning’s edition proudly displayed my first cover story. “President Marches U.S. to Avoidable War”. Of course, the story caused an avalanche of press and investigations. In the following days, the U.S. posture on the war reversed itself, and the country returned from the brink of war. The pressure and embarrassment caused the president to resign and sadly, my friend the congressmen shot himself, shortly thereafter.

That one article, now a faded memory on my wall, started my career as a newsmen, averted a war, unseated a president, and lead to the untimely death of a very good man.

P.I.B