Farmina
26-11-2007, 00:49
The Parliament sat quietly. Everyone was dressed in their traditional robes, with business suits buried underneath. Their harsh lighting of the Parliament required time to adjust to, but all the Parliamentarians were used to it.
“Lord President,” said Aaron Walsh, a tall thin man with green eyes, “The Parliament submits to you the final version of our ‘Review on the Conduct of the Farminan-Messian War’. The Committee for the Conduct of War asks that you carefully consider its findings.”
President Tobias Grey rubbed his short, dark beard. Nearly three years had passed since the war ended. Two years ago, Tobias Grey had secured a third term as President allowing him to declare his conduct of the war mandated.
“Thank you Master Chairman. My administration will consider your advice with care and an attention to detail. Furthermore, I shall release your wisdom to the media to show that this administration has nothing to hide. While I am President, there will be no whitewash!”
The Moralist benches (the Moralists being the party of Tobias Grey), burst into savage applause. The Liberal and Conservative benches also gave a mild clap, hoping that associating themselves with the popular President would have political benefits.
“If the President is so kind, may I read the introduction of the review for the benefit of the gallery?”
“I give my permission to the chairman,” said Tobias Grey, the excess flesh below his jaw wobbling as he spoke.
Aaron Walsh removed his glasses from his right jacket pocket and placed them across his eyes. The Chairman spoke firmly as he read, “The Committee finds that in nearly all matters relating the war, the administration of Tobias Grey achieved a very satisfactory level of conduct. This is not to say the administration was without fault, even in the areas where its conduct was well above that required to be considered competent.
The greatest concern of the Committee is the failure to adequately prepare for the possibility of a large scale Messian incursion. The Grey administration was too trusting of the Messians and failed to anticipate the possibility of war or invasion. This error was compounded by a failure of the military to recognise that a foreign invasion could feasibly be focused in the north.”
Tobias Grey wiped his forehead, the worst of the news out of the way.
Chairman Walsh tightened his white tie, “The Committee for the Conduct of War finds that the Grey Administration’s decision to pursue an aggressive war effort, was unquestionably correct. Turning a defensive war into an offensive war and then fighting the war with every available resource until the very last moment, should be considered a model approach…”
“What about Dylaria? Does this Parliament cheer state sanctioned murder?” jumped up Trisha Vespyar, a socialist (People’s Peace Party) that had been elected by the recently annexed province of Trinity.
“If the President so approves, I will skip to the chapter relating to several of the moral issues…” said Walsh, his ginger hair seeming to change colour under the lights as he bowed towards the President.
“I approve,” said Tobias, giving a meaningless hand gesture.
Aaron Walsh flicked several pages to find the relevant section, “It is the finding of the Committee that these actions conform to the great pattern of the war, the DRF has maintained morally correct positions. The destruction of Southern Dylaria, by means of nuclear weapon, in the final day of the war represented a strike against a legitimate military target. The attack ensured the DRF’s threat of total war was credible and helped bring an end to the war.
The Committee rejects the argument that the war could have been won without the use the use of nuclear weapons and therefore such weapons should not have been used. The Militia Enforced State remained in the war and remained a potential threat to tens of thousands of Farminan military personnel. The DRF was dedicated to a policy of total war against a fighting but defeated enemy that had been fully warned of potential nuclear strikes. It is our conclusion that only the Messian leadership can be blamed for the destruction of Southern Dylaria, along with all other death and damage caused by the war.”
At that point there was silence from the Parliament. Walsh continued, “The Committee finds the destruction of Southern Dylaria to have been a legitimate strike against a legitimate target, and played a key role in securing peace. In ordering a nuclear attack against Dylaria, President Tobias Grey is beyond moral reproach…”
The hard left stood up in furious protest yelling in an inaudible blur. The occasional ‘moralising murderers’ and ‘whitewash’. Tobias Grey’s Moralists stood up and began hurling abuse at the left, questioning their patriotism. Aaron Walsh tried to continue but could not with the great wave of noise. Objects began to fly around the room.
“Silence,” bellowed Tobias Grey, but few heard him.
“Silence,” repeated Tobias Grey, but with even less effect.
The President turned to the Parliamentary wardens, and ran a finger along his throat. That was the signal to switch off all microphones bar his.
“Silence,” bellowed Grey, this time being heard, “The school children shall leave the play ground for one hour.”
Despite official vindication, the President expected the argument to continue outside the Parliament and across the world.
“Lord President,” said Aaron Walsh, a tall thin man with green eyes, “The Parliament submits to you the final version of our ‘Review on the Conduct of the Farminan-Messian War’. The Committee for the Conduct of War asks that you carefully consider its findings.”
President Tobias Grey rubbed his short, dark beard. Nearly three years had passed since the war ended. Two years ago, Tobias Grey had secured a third term as President allowing him to declare his conduct of the war mandated.
“Thank you Master Chairman. My administration will consider your advice with care and an attention to detail. Furthermore, I shall release your wisdom to the media to show that this administration has nothing to hide. While I am President, there will be no whitewash!”
The Moralist benches (the Moralists being the party of Tobias Grey), burst into savage applause. The Liberal and Conservative benches also gave a mild clap, hoping that associating themselves with the popular President would have political benefits.
“If the President is so kind, may I read the introduction of the review for the benefit of the gallery?”
“I give my permission to the chairman,” said Tobias Grey, the excess flesh below his jaw wobbling as he spoke.
Aaron Walsh removed his glasses from his right jacket pocket and placed them across his eyes. The Chairman spoke firmly as he read, “The Committee finds that in nearly all matters relating the war, the administration of Tobias Grey achieved a very satisfactory level of conduct. This is not to say the administration was without fault, even in the areas where its conduct was well above that required to be considered competent.
The greatest concern of the Committee is the failure to adequately prepare for the possibility of a large scale Messian incursion. The Grey administration was too trusting of the Messians and failed to anticipate the possibility of war or invasion. This error was compounded by a failure of the military to recognise that a foreign invasion could feasibly be focused in the north.”
Tobias Grey wiped his forehead, the worst of the news out of the way.
Chairman Walsh tightened his white tie, “The Committee for the Conduct of War finds that the Grey Administration’s decision to pursue an aggressive war effort, was unquestionably correct. Turning a defensive war into an offensive war and then fighting the war with every available resource until the very last moment, should be considered a model approach…”
“What about Dylaria? Does this Parliament cheer state sanctioned murder?” jumped up Trisha Vespyar, a socialist (People’s Peace Party) that had been elected by the recently annexed province of Trinity.
“If the President so approves, I will skip to the chapter relating to several of the moral issues…” said Walsh, his ginger hair seeming to change colour under the lights as he bowed towards the President.
“I approve,” said Tobias, giving a meaningless hand gesture.
Aaron Walsh flicked several pages to find the relevant section, “It is the finding of the Committee that these actions conform to the great pattern of the war, the DRF has maintained morally correct positions. The destruction of Southern Dylaria, by means of nuclear weapon, in the final day of the war represented a strike against a legitimate military target. The attack ensured the DRF’s threat of total war was credible and helped bring an end to the war.
The Committee rejects the argument that the war could have been won without the use the use of nuclear weapons and therefore such weapons should not have been used. The Militia Enforced State remained in the war and remained a potential threat to tens of thousands of Farminan military personnel. The DRF was dedicated to a policy of total war against a fighting but defeated enemy that had been fully warned of potential nuclear strikes. It is our conclusion that only the Messian leadership can be blamed for the destruction of Southern Dylaria, along with all other death and damage caused by the war.”
At that point there was silence from the Parliament. Walsh continued, “The Committee finds the destruction of Southern Dylaria to have been a legitimate strike against a legitimate target, and played a key role in securing peace. In ordering a nuclear attack against Dylaria, President Tobias Grey is beyond moral reproach…”
The hard left stood up in furious protest yelling in an inaudible blur. The occasional ‘moralising murderers’ and ‘whitewash’. Tobias Grey’s Moralists stood up and began hurling abuse at the left, questioning their patriotism. Aaron Walsh tried to continue but could not with the great wave of noise. Objects began to fly around the room.
“Silence,” bellowed Tobias Grey, but few heard him.
“Silence,” repeated Tobias Grey, but with even less effect.
The President turned to the Parliamentary wardens, and ran a finger along his throat. That was the signal to switch off all microphones bar his.
“Silence,” bellowed Grey, this time being heard, “The school children shall leave the play ground for one hour.”
Despite official vindication, the President expected the argument to continue outside the Parliament and across the world.