THE DRUID STONE

Quincy put the phone down and sat on the edge of his bed. He hated his current situation. It had all started with simple politics. The big defense contractors wanted the United States to pull into a defensive protective posture. They wanted government dollars for defense contracts now that the President was pulling all the troops from the Middle East hotspots. Eight-months ago, Quincy had mentioned his dilemma to his longtime friend and Middle East sympathizer Arah Bantas.

“Arah, I sometimes think the total world economy is based on war, the threat of war, or for the desire for war.” Quincy paused as his friend put down his water glass. “I mean look at World War II, it really got the whole world out of the depression. After a total worldwide positioning of countries into pro-Communism or anti-Communist followed, the atomic age and the cold war kept economies balanced for decades. When communism paranoia faded after the Vietnam War, the multiple Israeli Palestinian conflicts fostered terrorism and ultimately the 9-11 attack in the US created a new global situation. The United States and other major countries had to support a war in the Middle East while the banking industry went nuts giving away money to people who couldn’t repay mortgages.”

“Yes. It led to a situation where money spent on the battlefield disappeared and money on the home front also disappeared.” Bantas indulged in his only vice and lit an Arabian cigarette.

“Exactly. Now we have no wars and a very slow economy. There are still small acts of terrorism occurring in Lebanon, Africa and as always with Israel and Palestine. But so far this offers no threat to any specific country.”

“There are new governments forming in Libya, Egypt, Jordan and Syria. These countries are now voicing sympathy and political alliance with the Iranian government. I would think that this alone might stimulate a defensive stance for the capitalistic systems.” Bantas lit another cigarette.

Crag Quincy sat upright and leaned forward. “I haven’t heard that. Are you sure? I thought Iran was a rogue country in terms of their jihad ideation.”

“I am certain of it. I’m sure your CIA knows of this. And if this is the case…” Bantas waved his cigarette fuming hand in the air. “… all capitalistic countries should bond together and talk of defense and preparation.”

“That’s exactly what I’m looking for. Let me go back to my corporate lobbies and see if we can get the United Nations and especially President Holmes to see this evolving situation. It could boost the total economy on a world-wide basis.”

Crag Quincy made numerous phone calls after his meeting with Bantas and concluded with the key candidate running in opposition to President Holmes in the upcoming election. “It doesn’t even matter whether or not the United Nations acts on such a policy to polarize the country regarding terrorism. The country doesn’t want war and wouldn’t vote for Holmes on the one hand. On the other hand, clearly defining terrorist philosophy nations would scare the hell out of people and you could win the election on a defense-building platform.”

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