Mongoose a Go

 264.

Temporarily satisfied that the American judicial system's ponderous stone wheels are grinding forward, cautiously aware that its driver is blinded by the troy-weight of the double standard of hypocrisy and prejudice, we huddle en masse to diagram our next move.

It is becoming more and more apparent that, at this level, any effort on our part could be substantially aided by a concentrated and targeted social media campaign. The days of putting all our propaganda eggs in the single basket of one or two print media reports, a talk show host or even an influential TV news anchor, have been replaced by the reach and expediency of people talking to people on high-tech, real-time digital platforms. Having absolute anonymity of opinion is also a plus, where data, fact and truth are often credited to such non-validated sources as 'insiders, whistle-blowers and sympathizers.' In other words, we can help ourselves manufacture consent through a successful media campaign of our own doing. After all, wasn't it City Hall itself that insisted it could not be fought?

"The more people, sympathetic to our cause, that are presented plausable motivational information about the nefarious intentions of our common enemy, the better our chances of success," Julie is saying as we convene for the afternoon strategy session.

We have come out of the latest skirmish relatively unscathed, an irony countered by the twenty-six innocent victims of a domestic terrorist bombing, the masterminds of which currently sit in solitary confinement of a high-security military operated detention facility.

It is my contention that while the terrorist cell responsible for the heinous bombing represent the body of the toxic reptile, they are not its head. I restate my feelings to the group that we must stay committed to the original plan of its decapitation if we are to live up to our impossible mission statement. "Otherwise we will be like the overworked volunteer fireman eternally busy with fighting a thousand little fires."

Drysdale, Mustang, Davis, Saunders, The Queen, Julie, Harlan and myself represent such an agency. Tasked with the safety and security of a divided Nation of haves and have-nots, know-it-alls and know-nothings, the melting pot of a society plagued by the improper and insidious use of political power and mass-market media manipulation, we enforce the rule of law.  

The eight of us are unanimous in our belief that the time to strike is always now. Waiting for the sun to shine or the birds to sing is inviting additional disaster. That melting pot is filled fifty-fifty with people who disagree with the very definition of what a patriot does in defense of his or her country. Does one help more by active participation or passive observation? Given our choice of leading, following or getting out of the way, every one of us has not only made the commitment to lead, but sworn an oath to it as well.

We agree to move quickly while the media distraction allows additional cover. Operation Firecracker, the brainchild of our fallen leader, is officially reinstated in his honor. It is also re-named.

Mongoose TOM is a go.