and it's shutting down pretty much the entire west side of town.

jeez...

i'd sorta like to go to at least hear his views... but since this is a heavily republican area, there were lines to get tickets to what is essentially a reelection rally.

ah well. maybe he'll stop by the college and i'll get to meet the man personally... maybe look for strings on his arms, legs, and head...

it's just so hard to judge a person based on television.

though that Moore film really got my irked... against bush.

I dunno, I saw him in person the first time around and he's really nothing special.

tell that to most republicans... i say the same thing to Kerry democrats...

i despise party line patriotism.

You should go if you can, just for the experience, even if you hate him. Seeing a president, or presidential candidate speak live is a unique experience.

It is?
You should try listening to some of my ramblings that I unload on people, all laden with BS and promises, threats and of course the normal amount of scapegoats being presented.

There's really nothing "amazing" about that sort of stuff.
If anything it's commonplace to have a person preaching crap that they don't even believe, understand or care about.

well, i can't go... it's sold out. SOLD out... well, i really don't know if they were charging, but ill be irrationally indignent about it anyway.

i think im more annoyed with the fact that they told everyone to park in front of my store... which means no parking for me or any customers... which means lost business. with the added bonus of conservatives seeing and possibly entering my store and not likeing all those devilish card/board/rp games that are most certainly the tools of Satan (because our preacher SAID so, that's why).

8 or 9 protesters picketting five blocks away from the speech. RIGHT IN FRONT OF the deli that i was eating lunch at.

a couple were really cute though.

You've obviously never done it. I thought Buchanan was good on TV, but live is much better. I saw him speak live 4 times in 2000. His hell fire and brimstone speeches are better that way.

Never done it eh?
Mm...here, check out these stuff I threw down..ON THE SPOT mind you, I didn't pre-write the crap.
----


The normal broadcasting is moving along smoothly, up until the point wherein it suddenly becomes nothing more than scrambled into white fuzz. The white noise permeates for a while, until the screen turns dark and a single symbol is shown. The symbol is none other than that insignia that most Mavericks prefer to use.

As the insignia vanishes the screen shows an image of Sigma, seated at his dark throne with its red cushions, and Velguader seated next to his feet staring unblinkingly into the camera. Sigma, a small smile curling his lips, remains seated as he begins to speak to the viewers. "Hello everyone, I do hope you don't mind my taking some time to talk with you but I really felt that I had to."

A momentary pause occurs, as Sigma waits for anyone of minimal intelligence to realize what's happening. "Now then, allow me to first begin by saying that I greet all of the Reploids out there, and once more request that you join me. Please, do not cry out in horror, the Mavericks are not monsters like the Humans, we do not need to force our allies to do things for them. Instead, the Mavericks are a family, and like any family we try to protect those within our ranks. As such, if any Reploid takes part in any attacks against Dopplertown or other Maverick locations we will be forced to destroy them. However, if any Reploid wishes to surrender we will not end their life but rather give them a new one to start."

Sigma, starting to lean forward in his seat stands up, and carefully steps around Velguader. He takes a few steps forward, putting his hands behind his back, and smiling even wider as he looks directly at the camera. "However, this supposed attack that will crush the Mavericks will do nothing more than stir the hive. We do not wish to cause harm to our Reploid family, and so we wish that the Maverick Hunters and the UEF would use only Humans or Cyborgs in any attacks. Whenever a Reploid is used we consider it an act of utmost disgust, an action where they prove they can't handle this so-called threat of the Mavericks themselves. But also, be warned you pitiful Humans, you worthless wastes of space and time. Be warned that if you do attack the Mavericks in Dopplertown that you will be killed, you will be slaughtered like the animals that you are. I want you to realize that we will not stop there, we will push you back and overwhelm your defenses, we will decimate your awful cities and leave you broken. So attack, if you dare, but if you do attack prepare for consequences like no other."

Turning around and walking back to the throne, Sigma seats himself as the image itself starts to fade. The last thing can be seen is Sigma, smiling widely and his eyes filled with some unknown joy, perhaps a feeling caused by the issuing of a warning. Then, the programming is back to normal, as if nothing happened at all.
---


Once more the usual programming is suddenly turned into nothing more than white fuzz, the deafening roar of white noise permeating from any and all audio transmitters hooked up to the SNN network. The sound dies instantly, as the screen turns dark, and the insignia of the Mavericks shows clearly on screens worldwide.

The insignia departs, and Sigma can be seen standing beside his throne, reading a book. A quick glance up, and a dazzling smile the leader of the Mavericks closes his book. Reaching down to pet Velguader who sleeps nearby him, Sigma finally prepares to speak. "Hello everyone, and I am quite certain some of you are preparing for bed right as I'm speaking, and so I'm quite sorry."

"Now, the reason behind this intrusion on the SNN's normal broadcasting is that I would like to inform you all of a little something. You see, I have encountered a startling intelligent Reploid who can sometimes be found in North America, and while he annoys me he made a great deal of sense. But the fact is that I must sadly deny his wish for being kind to the Humans, and so I am preparing now a certain amount of events."

"Do not be alarmed! I am not going to stalk into every city in the world and burn them to the ground, for that would be nothing more than mass genocide, not to mention a great deal of Reploids would probably die. That would be awful, wouldn't it? However, due to the threats that were made toward the Mavericks we must act first. Currently one of my plans is nearing completion, and when finished you might have a little trouble finding out anything. Allow me to apologize ahead of time to the Reploids out there, but if you really want to know something come to Dopplertown. We'll always welcome Reploids with open arms."

"For the Humans out there who are looking at this and wondering when I'm going to start spouting such things as 'vile creatures', and 'disgusting rats', never fear, I'm getting close to that. But first, let us talk about something very important. You see, this book I'm reading tells a tale of a young boy forced into a situation he would rather not contend with. The story itself runs on and on for a tedious amount of time, but the overall morale is that our actions have consequences. When Reploids were created they were given an intelligence akin to that which Humans have. That, my wonderful friends of the world, had consequences."

"So I want to remind you all here and now that when you go to sleep, or when you wake up, or even when you're just sitting around talking with your family, think about those consequences. Realize that, in the end, the Humans caused everything that's about to happen. And do take care, because I'll be seeing you soon."

A minor amount of music plays as the screen fades again, and the insignia of the Mavericks fills the screen. This time when the insignia vanishes everything is as it normally would be, picking up as though no interruption had occured.

----

The secondary transmission systems were easily overwhelmed by the sudden attempts by Mavericks to unleash a temporary degree of control over what is being shown. The images around the world cut off, leaving most people to stare blankly at their most cherished of personal possessions. Finally, the well recognizable image of the Mavericks once more flashed on the screen, only to fade away.

However, as the image becomes clear to all it shows Sigma, standing outside in the middle of Dopplertown. The large bald man is smiling, while shaking hands with the Reploids that move about the city, the darkness itself that permeates the land being closer to its end than the beginning. Turning around, Sigma stomped over so that he stood dead center within the cameras gaze, only to face it directly and nod his head in greeting.

"Hello everyone, I do hope you don't mind my bothering you all again, but I really must talk to you about something," Sigma stated, his hands becoming clasped behind his back. "It has come to my attention that people like to call those who reside within Dopplertown Mavericks. That could be the truth, and in fact I do believe we shall forever carry the name Maverick on your shoulders and stand tall before all who laugh at us. Those who hate us have continued to use the term Maverick as though it is a curse, yet that is in the end nothing more than short-sightedness. We are Mavericks, we are proud and we are strong."

"A lot of people are probably perturbed by the actions of myself and other Mavericks, yet allow me to explain why we did what we did. You see, with every day that goes by more Humans are born. Is that a bad thing? Well, to some it isn't, but to some it is. We all know /my/ opinions as to Humans, so do I really need to start talking about slaughtering them all?" Sigma asked, before laughing for a few seconds. "Well, the truth is that the Humans need to be reminded of something. Mavericks exist, and we are not weak. We knocked over the CN Tower, and yet if you look at the casualties there weren't a great deal of deaths. Odd isn't it? Perhaps Mavericks are not so cold-hearted in the end..?"

"Truly, the Mavericks themselves started out as problems. A few bugs here and there in their programming, a mistake or something else that surfaced, and myself and other Maverick Hunters were dispatched to deal with them. But, if none of you realized it, a so-called Maverick Hunter is one of the most dangerous Mavericks of all time. Zero. Zero is not normal, he is not stable, and he is flawed. He demonstrated that by assaulting another person who was merely attempting to help him with a girl, a girl mind you who died shortly after Zero picked her up. Has Zero reverted back to his old ways, or perhaps has he only hidden how he truly acts until now? If this was how it originally was the ranting, raving and seemingly insane Zero would be labeled a Maverick. Yet he is considered a savior by Humans."

"I just thought I'd let you all know that Mavericks might not be the true threat...since in the end how many Maverick Hunters have become Mavericks? Who is considered one of the most dangerous Mavericks to ever live? A Maverick Hunter. Oh...do take care, and Reploids remember, in Dopplertown we do not suppress your thoughts, opinions or wishes. We just try to protect you."

Once more the screen is darkened, and then the transmission hijacking comes to an end.

----

As the news about the world is all about the Dopplertown incident there seems to be silence from the Mavericks. Yet, while some might start to think on that subject the silence itself ends. The image that takes it place is the symbol of the Mavericks.

As the image fades, and a new image starts to form the most easily recognized fact is that the broadcast is no longer coming from the throne room belonging to Sigma. The darkness, deep and black, fills the screen save for the single simple light hanging above Sigma's head. The light itself casts down brightness on the bald one, drawing all attention to him and not the bare walls.

"It pains me," Sigma states. "It pains me to see this horrid event occur. I stated to all about how consequences were to occur due to the actions of people. Those consequences have happened to the Reploids of Dopplertown, it seems. Attacking them, destroying their homes, removing a wonderful world for Reploids. That is what the UEF has done. That is what Humans have done."

"As if that wasn't enough, the Humans threw away so many lives, so many Reploid lives that were working for them. Again victims have been brought to exist, victims of the Humans own anger and hatred. All Reploids lost during this Dopplertown event shall be considered brothers and sisters, even if they fought against each other. The Mavericks do not live to hate other Reploids, we do not live to kill all people on the planet. We live to protect the Reploids, to guide them and help them when they need the help."

"But, sadly, the Reploids were slaughtered. Cast against other Reploids, cast against ordinary people who were living happily, doing nothing wrong, and not even thinking horrible thoughts. Is this the work of an intelligent race? Reploids are intelligent! We do not need to kill each other, we do not need to leave in such a world of hatred. Even now, we are trying to rebuild, rebuild the homes. Even now, brave Mavericks are working on fixing up whoever most needs the help. They are repairing them, treating their wounds and trying their best to minimize casualties. Is this the work of an evil group?"

"No. It isn't," Sigma says to the camera. "Mavericks are not monsters. We are being treated like them, yet in the end who have used the Reploids? Who have called Mavericks the abominations? Who have wanted to kill us from the very start? I am here to tell you that the Mavericks will no longer put up with this. We were content, content to exist as we were. However, the Humans wished to intrude. Warnings were issued, yet they still attacked. I am here to tell you all that the attack on Dopplertown will have another consequence."

"The Mavericks are done playing around."

And then the transmission ends.

----

As is often the case the usual transmissions are interrupted by the symbol of the Mavericks, the mighty logo blazing on the screen, only to fade away and unveil a new image. The image this time is of Dopplertown, as it was before the assault by the UEF and the Hunters. A gradual change overtakes it, though, as the image bleeds to another, of the somewhat destroyed and horribly damaged Dopplertown.

Sigma appears on the screen, as the image rushes in and focuses on the Residential District. Sigma, standing nearby some other Reploids, is commanding people about and attempting to assist in the reconstruction. Acting as though the camera focused on him is a surprise, he turns slowly and stares at it for a moment, his mouth forming a slight o. "Why, hello there!" Sigma says, smiling and waving, as he approaches the camera.

"I do hope none of you mind this horrid intrusion, but I thought I would show you all what has happened to this once glorious city. No, none of the damage was of my own making, and of course I am personally attempting to help with the reconstruction. Currently we are trying to fix up the homes so that the Reploids who live here have a place to sleep, since the Maverick Hunters and the UEF opted to blow up some of the housing area."

Sigma, turning and walking slightly toward the north-east, points in the direction of where one of the cannons once stood. "Over in that direction I plan to erect a monument, and do you know why? Because one of my soldiers died there. A great man, a warrior like no other, he sacrificed himself like any ordinary person, he was humble, intelligent and kind. He was like these citizens who are working hard to replace their homes. The fact is that these citizens themselves stood against the UEF. And do you know why?"

Smiling, Sigma once more adjusts how he is standing and faces the camera directly. "No, not because they were Mavericks, but because this place was their home. Dopplertown was a city, a land filled with people who were happy, and the UEF and the Maverick Hunters barged in and slaughtered innocent civilians. I do not happen to recall their asking for me ot come to the diplomacy table, nor do I seem to remember any sort of requests by them for a mutual ceasefire. In the end, Mavericks were attacked as though they were the scourge. I must ask, who was the true target of this attack? Did they truly aim to harm myself? Did they wish to rob this world of my presence, or were they actually after the people? The children, the women, the innocent harmless ones."

"Sadly, we may never know," Sigma says to the camera. "The fact is that the incident has occured, and the Mavericks survived. We are now rebuilding the city, trying to help the innocent people who were so rudely stomped all over by the so-called Good Guys, we are working hard to make this place liveable once more. And we are, as always, open armed. Do you wish to come visit Dopplertown? Then come along and visit it. We are even accepting Human visitors, although I must warn you that some of the inhabitants might find your presence unsettling due to the way the Humans have mistreated them."

"I suppose that will be all," Sigma states, as he starts to turn. "I must hurry along and assist in reconstruction, otherwise some horrid storm might cause a great deal of suffering for the children of Dopplertown."

And with that, the screen fades to black, before the regular transmission returns.

-----

As the people sit there, watching the televisions and screens and whatever else they use for viewing the SNN network's broadcasting, it becomes interrupted. The symbol of the Mavericks flares into life on it, only to fade away slowly. The revealing scene is of Sigma, standing outside Dopplertown next to a well dressed Human.

"Hello everyone," Sigma states, as he wraps one arm protectively around the Human. "The incident in Neo Angeles is a huge tragedy, to say the least. However, the resulting actions of both the Mavericks and Maverick Hunters have proven a simple fact. A fact I have known for so very long...that Mavericks and Maverick Hunters can work together peacefully. We do not need to kill each other, hurt each other, or even yell at each other."

"But there is a threat to that peace! Do any of you recall the others, those two who showed themselves and attacked the Mavericks? When civilians were all about, hurt and crying for help they ignored them, they stomped toward the Mavericks and attacked them. How barbaric of them, their bloodlust must be so great that they would deny the most fundamentally kind of all actions. If anything these two have proven a new enemy, not for only the Mavericks but the world over. They chose to not help the Humans, the Reploids and even the Maverick Hunters themselves. Instead they chose to attack people."

"So who are the true enemies now? Have they not shown that they are incapable of being a helpful member of the community? Haven't they demonstrated that they don't care what the Maverick Hunters are doing? Did they not show that they are too blind to help anyone but themselves? Will this cause harm to the innocent Civilians the world over, will they blow up their buildings, their homes, just to get a single Maverick? I say we should not allow this travesty to continue, this horrid grouping of idiocy. Even Bob," Sigma states, as he waves with his free hand toward the Human. "Even this little guy, scared of me, is more scared of what those fools are going to do."

"So the next time you decide to say that only the Mavericks are dangerous, I recommend you look around. I recommend you stare at those images of the Mavericks helping people, while the unknown duo merely ignore everyone. I recommend you think about what they might do next..."

And as the speech ends, the image fades back to black, only to be carefully swept away by the return to normal transmission.

---

The screens are perfectly fine, running along, showing events of the day such as a small amount of homocides occuring in Neo Angeles, a looting event following the horrors of the Chicago incident, and even a few images of Dopplertown being reconstructed. Then the screens go dark, and silence fills the air, yet no images appear, no insignia of who might be unleashing this stillness. It is then that a voice speaks, coming out of the darkness, perfect sounding and persuasive, a voice that could tell someone to kill themself and they would do it.

"Hello everyone," the voice of Sigma says, a hint of humor running through it. "You thought I was gone, didn't you? You all thought that with Zero's actions against me I was perished, forever and lost to the world. Guess again. While Zero did destroy my head, did crush it like some pitiful grape, I did not die. I will never die. But you all will. Have you not seen the truth yet, have you not seen who the real threat is?"

Sigma's voice pauses, as an image slips upward from the bottom of the screen, the image of Zero, crushing Sigma's heads. "As you can clearly see, he did it. Did he know he was doing it, though? Perhaps, in fact, he didn't...perhaps he didn't know anything about what he was doing. But if he was like that, would he not be malfunctioning? Would he not be...a Maverick? Have any of you wonderful people ever talked with Zero, ever spoken with him, ever heard him talking to himself, yelling at himself and slowly sounding more and more insane until he finally snaps and attacks someone?"

"I have," Sigma tells everyone. "What do you think happened in Chicago? Do you really think I was there to harm someone? My companion was vicious, yes, and I apologize for that, but I did not lift a finger to hurt anybody. I did not even hurt Zero, or threaten to hurt Zero, yet he assaulted me, attacked me in a vicious and cold hearted manner. He stabbed me, ripped my insides to shreds, then crushed my head. Is that the work of a sane Reploid? Is he even able to be sane anymore? What will the Maverick Hunters do when Zero turns on them, when Zero finally assaults one of them, hurting them, ripping them apart?"

"They'll reject him, of course. They'll reject him and he'll deevolve back into the way he was, back before I saved him. Back before, when he slaughtered people for no reason."

The silence that suddenly greets everyone is deafening, only to vanish and be replaced by the screens of normal transmissions, of the normal broadcasting.

---

The silence of the air waves occured again, as the Maverick insignia flared into reality, thus obscuring the wonderful show about nothing. The image itself faded away, leaving all to view a picture of Sigma seated at an outdoor restaurant in Dopplertown. The sun is shining, as the celestial body itself still has a few hours to go before noon would occur.

"Hello," Sigma said, as he adjusted in his seat so that he was looking directly at the camera. "I do welcome you to one of the most wonderful places in Dopplertown. While the restaurant itself is somewhat pointless, what with how we do not need the sustenance that most Humans do, it is still a nice gathering place for the more social of people. As such, I deemed it worth my time to arrive here, and mingle with the others. However, what I have to say also directly affects them, and so they shall hear it as I say it, as will all of you."

"Now on to the meat of this simplistic little transmission!" Sigma stated, as he stood up and spread his arms wide as though he wished to give all a hug. "I am standing here asking for peace to occur. I have grown tired of assaulting people, especially the Reploids of the world, and as such wish only for a gentle ceasefire to exist. However, there are requirements for this ceasefire to even occur, and as such I must lay them before you all."

"First, any town or city which wishes to be no longer a victim of the hostile actions of Mavericks needs to remove any and all discriminatory laws in relation to Reploids and Mechaniloids. They are equal to Humans, and everyone knows I believe they are far superior, and as such deserve the equal rights of any Human. Secondly, any jury must have an equal amount of Humans and Reploids, that way a true fairness might exist, in case the incident involves a Reploid."

"Lastly, I require the allowance for any and all Mavericks to enter the city or town, as well as the promise of no harrassment of any Mavericks who do in fact enter the towns. If harrassment occurs the Humans, for we all know that it will be the Humans, that are involved in it shall therein be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. If anyone wishes for peace, such an act must be created, lest we fall victim to our own hatred and despise for one another."

"As for what I am giving up," Sigma said, as he settled back down into his chair. "Humans will be granted full allowance into Dopplertown, and will not be the victims of assault. While many residents of Dopplertown would love to gut them all, including myself, I must sadly admit that it would be highly unfair if I did not grant the safety I so require for my own kind within other cities."

"If any town or city wishes to enact such things, I will await their statements of doing so, and of course the fact that they have truly complied by enacting the alterations, by this coming Friday. Any town which does not meet that deadline shall be targets of Maverick actions. If no town or city enacts these alterations any Human seen within Dopplertown will be held and used as I see fit. That will be all."

Yet again the screen grows dark, only for it to return to the transmission of the show about nothing. Exciting.

-----

And I won't even bother pasting the preaching I did on the battlefields.

I always wanted to show up at a Bush speaking event and start chanting the Skull and bones initiation rite while watching his reaction.

The hangman equals death!
The Devil equals death!
Death equals death!

Run Neophyte, run!
Run Neophyte, run!
Run Neophyte, run!

Well, to go to a Bush event, I'm fairly certain you need to sign papers that say you're a supporter and won't do this or do that...so he uses pre-screened audiences. Kerry will let people in regardless of that, he'll talk to everyone, not just to the choir. Dissenters have been thrown out of Bush events for tresspassing . . . and by "Dissent" I mean "Not cheering the whole time."

I could still do it though . . . although I imagine that you also have to be a registered republican.