Our Earth
16-11-2003, 11:56
The Seal of the President of The Free Peoples of Our Earth hangs majestically on the wall of the conference room, it's dark scarlet field flowing smoothly. A tall brown podium stands alone upon the small stage the Seal backs. The small room is filled with white folding chairs except a small pit for mounted cameras near the back. A lone white door rests upon the back corner of the stage and another mirrors it at the back of the room. The morning sun filters through the thick foliage outside the large windows on the East wall and a dim glow of fluorescent light filters through the smaller windows of the hallway to the West.
The door at the back of the room opens and row after row of bustling reporters enter the room. Each takes his or her seat and the din grows as the reporters begin exchanging stories and light conversation. The chatter continues for a few minutes until the door at the stage opens and a woman enters the room. She approaches the podium and the reporters right themselves in their chairs and prepare for the message.
"The UN Ambassador will be speaking from 10:30 till noon at which time the Special Advisor to the President on Security will be speaking until 12:30. The President will be in conference until 1 o’clock at which point he will be here to announce his decision and answer any question you may have. You have about—“ She looks at her watch “20 minutes till the Ambassador is ready, feel free to continue what you were doing.”
The woman leaves through the door by the stage and can be seen walking down the hallway. The dull roar of friendly conversation returns with the addition of the noise of camera crews setting up their bulky cameras in their pit in the back. The 20 minutes pass quickly and the entrance of the Ambassador is a surprise to almost everyone. A single reporter remains calm through the whole ordeal, sitting in the third row near the large windows, partially lit by the light of the morning sun.
“Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I am here to address you on the possibility of the formation of a global think-tank to be housed here under the protection of the Office of the President and under the supervision of the highest officials of the participating governments. Private inputs are expected though positions are likely to be filled first by governmental appointments and second by private individuals and representatives of private collectives.
“As I said the tank is to be housed here though the majority of its offices will likely be in the home countries of its members. The plan at this point is to hold periodic meetings in person but to conduct most of the tank’s business remotely. Special security measures are being designed to maintain the safety of the information used by and generated in the tank…”
The speech continues but the reporter in the third row has lost interest. He turns to look out the window at the busy street below. He is roused from his reverie by the Ambassador calling for questions. The room explodes as every reporter tries to catch the attention of the Ambassador so that they can get their question answered. The Ambassador answers a few questions before the reporter in the third row makes any effort to be noticed. As soon as he does the Ambassador calls for his question.
The reporter speaks as though he is on familiar terms with the Ambassador, “You speak of the think-tank as though it has already been approved. Can we take that as a hint at the Presidents announcement this afternoon?”
The Ambassador blushes slightly and replies, “I apologize, I meant to make it clear that all the plans I presented are tentative and rest on the Presidents approval.” The reporter nods and other reporters shout for attention as he looks once again at the passing crowd.
The Special Advisor to the President on Security’s speech passed without event and the reporter in the third row spent the entire time watching people pass below the window. After the Advisor had finished speaking there was a 30-minute break for a quick lunch, which was eaten hurriedly as the reporters rushed to be in place for the President.
The white door by the stage opens just as the last reporter is taking his seat.
“All rise for the President of the Free Peoples of Our Earth.”
The reporters rise dutifully and sit again as the President crosses to his podium.
“Good afternoon everyone. I’m here to make the announcement that we are going ahead with plans to form a global think-tank. The state goal of the tank will be to find solutions to issues of international significance as well as finding peaceful and mutually beneficial solutions to multinational conflicts. The tank will be comprised of members from all nations interested in participating as well as private individuals and representatives of private collectives as necessary. Recruitment begins immediately. Private individuals may apply at any post office and submissions from other governments are expected within the week. We will keep you all updated as we have the details ourselves. Now I must be leaving you.” The President waves and walks from the room.
The woman who announced the schedules returns to the podium. “That’s all for the day. Feel free to stick around for a few minutes, but when the cameras are gone we’re closing the room. Thank you.” She exits through the door by the stage as the rush of conversation fills the small room.
The reporter from the third row is the first to leave the room and others trickle out slowly as the camera crews pack their equipment.
Individuals, collectives, and governments, who wish to submit members in application for the tank, should feel free to do so here. All applications will be reviewed and appointments will be announced when the necessary number of approvals has been reached.
The door at the back of the room opens and row after row of bustling reporters enter the room. Each takes his or her seat and the din grows as the reporters begin exchanging stories and light conversation. The chatter continues for a few minutes until the door at the stage opens and a woman enters the room. She approaches the podium and the reporters right themselves in their chairs and prepare for the message.
"The UN Ambassador will be speaking from 10:30 till noon at which time the Special Advisor to the President on Security will be speaking until 12:30. The President will be in conference until 1 o’clock at which point he will be here to announce his decision and answer any question you may have. You have about—“ She looks at her watch “20 minutes till the Ambassador is ready, feel free to continue what you were doing.”
The woman leaves through the door by the stage and can be seen walking down the hallway. The dull roar of friendly conversation returns with the addition of the noise of camera crews setting up their bulky cameras in their pit in the back. The 20 minutes pass quickly and the entrance of the Ambassador is a surprise to almost everyone. A single reporter remains calm through the whole ordeal, sitting in the third row near the large windows, partially lit by the light of the morning sun.
“Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I am here to address you on the possibility of the formation of a global think-tank to be housed here under the protection of the Office of the President and under the supervision of the highest officials of the participating governments. Private inputs are expected though positions are likely to be filled first by governmental appointments and second by private individuals and representatives of private collectives.
“As I said the tank is to be housed here though the majority of its offices will likely be in the home countries of its members. The plan at this point is to hold periodic meetings in person but to conduct most of the tank’s business remotely. Special security measures are being designed to maintain the safety of the information used by and generated in the tank…”
The speech continues but the reporter in the third row has lost interest. He turns to look out the window at the busy street below. He is roused from his reverie by the Ambassador calling for questions. The room explodes as every reporter tries to catch the attention of the Ambassador so that they can get their question answered. The Ambassador answers a few questions before the reporter in the third row makes any effort to be noticed. As soon as he does the Ambassador calls for his question.
The reporter speaks as though he is on familiar terms with the Ambassador, “You speak of the think-tank as though it has already been approved. Can we take that as a hint at the Presidents announcement this afternoon?”
The Ambassador blushes slightly and replies, “I apologize, I meant to make it clear that all the plans I presented are tentative and rest on the Presidents approval.” The reporter nods and other reporters shout for attention as he looks once again at the passing crowd.
The Special Advisor to the President on Security’s speech passed without event and the reporter in the third row spent the entire time watching people pass below the window. After the Advisor had finished speaking there was a 30-minute break for a quick lunch, which was eaten hurriedly as the reporters rushed to be in place for the President.
The white door by the stage opens just as the last reporter is taking his seat.
“All rise for the President of the Free Peoples of Our Earth.”
The reporters rise dutifully and sit again as the President crosses to his podium.
“Good afternoon everyone. I’m here to make the announcement that we are going ahead with plans to form a global think-tank. The state goal of the tank will be to find solutions to issues of international significance as well as finding peaceful and mutually beneficial solutions to multinational conflicts. The tank will be comprised of members from all nations interested in participating as well as private individuals and representatives of private collectives as necessary. Recruitment begins immediately. Private individuals may apply at any post office and submissions from other governments are expected within the week. We will keep you all updated as we have the details ourselves. Now I must be leaving you.” The President waves and walks from the room.
The woman who announced the schedules returns to the podium. “That’s all for the day. Feel free to stick around for a few minutes, but when the cameras are gone we’re closing the room. Thank you.” She exits through the door by the stage as the rush of conversation fills the small room.
The reporter from the third row is the first to leave the room and others trickle out slowly as the camera crews pack their equipment.
Individuals, collectives, and governments, who wish to submit members in application for the tank, should feel free to do so here. All applications will be reviewed and appointments will be announced when the necessary number of approvals has been reached.