Readers, we here at The Weekly Journal have just received an urgent communique from famed American citizen Chuck Norris himself to the people of North America. We have been instructed to pass the message on to you, our readers around the world, without delay. Here is that message:
Comrades of the Great Revelation, a new era is upon us. Our obsolete way of life has come to an end. We now have the power and the ability to change our human race to something far greater than we have ever imagined. As you all well know, vampires have been living among us for some time now. We must not be afraid of them but embrace them as our own. The leaders of the American populace are 100 percent behind the evolvement of the vampire community and all of you will follow. The vampires need our support right now. Vampires are smarter, faster, stronger, and better than we are; they are the future. The scientific community as well as the military are looking to “cure” the vampires. Instead of curing them they will be diminishing our chances to evolve as a new race.
Our Last Hope
Current Issues:
- Urban destruction
- Continued displacement of millions of people
- Government and military popularity – as the crisis continues, favorability ratings (which may already be at all-time-low figures) will in almost all cases trend downward.
- Rebuilding infrastructure (physical buildings/roads/etc.)
- Rebuilding economic infrastructure and the global economy
- The Great Revelation of vampires living among us
- The extinction of the human race? (Through predation, conversion, or the inability to compete with vampires, who are stronger, faster, and smarter than humans.)
- The redrawing of cultural and social structures to adapt to the Revelation
- The persistent worry (paranoia?) that vampires are merely the first to come out. What else is out there?
Objectives:
· Preservation of the human race
· Securing a safe haven in the Caribbean
· Transporting as many survivors as possible
· Placing a trade and travel embargo around our new federation
· Research ultraviolet ammunition and vampire anatomy
Our executives have asked us to welcome vampires into our communities, proposed little to help with the mass displacement, and the global economy is only going to continue to deteriorate. What I am about to propose is unorthodox and a last resort as it will end governments. The human race is about to become an endangered species, whether vampires look at mankind as a food source or not they are stronger, faster, and smarter than humans. This alone will make them difficult to compete with, let alone if we become their prey. Counterparts of mine have suggested that we incorporate them into our government and military. What do we have that they could possibly want? Is synthetic blood an answer? When a wolf, a deer, and a steak are placed in a room what do you think would happen? Would the wolf be content with the steak and leave the deer alone, I think not. Whether they are initially a threat or not, laws of nature will come into play and the lesser species, mankind, will suffer.
What I propose is a military coup of the United States of America. Once in power we take all of our assets and as many people as possible and move to the Caribbean. Initially to our protectorates Puerto Rico and Guam and through diplomacy or force take all of the Island states of the Caribbean. Strategically it will be easiest to defend ourselves and control population movements from Islands. With our new capital in Puerto Rico we can begin to set up defenses. Such as an integrated solar panel network, so that we may shine light on our borders at all hours of the day and night. This rests on the assumption that vampires are at least sensitive to light. Whether sunlight is just a nuisance to vampires or not solar power will come in handy in rebuilding our society.
In the event of an attack on our Islands the vampires will have to get there somehow. Unfortunately again not much is known about them, which is why capture and research is essential to our survival. However, I believe that we can assume that they will need some mode of transportation such as a ship or a plane. Whether our bullets and missiles hurt them or not if we sink the ships or shoot down the planes that they use this will at the very least slow they down if not kill them. Our new federation of island states will be haven for those who wish to remain human.
To accomplish this task the Pacific fleet will be sent to secure our haven while the Atlantic fleet starts evacuation measures. To prevent vampires from boarding we will set up UV checkpoints one has to pass through to board and to reach the bridge. This will hopefully prevent vampires from passage. Secondly security measures will include issuing wooden stakes to marines and army personnel, hanging garlic at ship entrances, and continue research on vampire mythology. Research into ultraviolet ammunition will be extremely useful. The Atlantic fleet will wait two weeks until setting route to the Caribbean, this should be sufficient time for people to reach one of the harbors on the east coast from anywhere in the country.
The thought that one can become stronger, faster, and smarter by simply enduring a brief moment of pain is disconcerting. It is possible that other states around the world my wish to convert to vampires. In all likelihood making us their enemies a conventional attack should be within our power repeal. Some have raised the question of a nuclear attack. Personally I feel this to be an unlikely scenario as they would probably want to take as many of us alive as possible. However, intercontinental ballistic missiles should be brought with us and a second strike capability enabled to ensure nuclear deterrence. The missiles we are unable to bring should be destroyed.
The North American government would like to extend a warm welcome to our new vampire citizens. We would like to make our stance clear; that we will welcome vampires into our government and that there is no need to hide.
- 93% of the people in the evacuation zones were sufficently cleared and moved to safe zones
- An estimated 32.567% of the New York Metropolitan zone is uninhabitable
- 12% of hospital patients were not able to be evacuated. the majority of those left behind were immobile or terminally ill
- Refugees are being contained in their relocation zones have have ample food and water to last 2 months
- During the evacuation, several zones were, for a time, not under government control due to rioting and other misconduct. Order in the relocation zones has been established and constant.
- Millions of dollars have been donated by the rest of the population to help erect semi perminant structures in the re location camps.
- Dispite government reassurances, public anxiety has not been reduced sigfigantly, as many citizens will not accept the fact that danger does not persist.
- Millions of citizens have attend vigils and sent prayer cards to benifit the refugees.
February 16, 2011
Mr. Joe Gallant
Dept. of Emergency Services
1482 Portland Road
Richmond, Virginia
Dear Mr. Gallant:
URGENT MESSAGE
My fellow scientists and I understand that the New York metropolitan area is still expecting a major asteroid collision. The primary goal, at this time, is to make sure that as many people as possible are evacuated safely. According to the research, the area will only be uninhabitable for three days. However, this is a preliminary estimate. Hopefully most of the residences will still be salvageable after the dust cloud clear.
One of my colleagues brought up a very important point. We still have six days until this asteroid is set to impact. The citizens need to be a minimum of 300 miles away from the site. This is not an enormous distance, and six days is quite a while. Given this, we must make sure to do our best mitigating other potential problems that could arise from this evacuation. The primary issue is hygiene. Although the estimate is just three days, we must prepare for at least 10 days of caring for the twenty million people being relocated. At the very least, we need to provide each individual with one shower, hopefully two. Special sites must be created for the very young and very old, as they require special attention.
If tents are set up, there must be a limit as the number of occupants in each tent. We must remain organized and civilized during this terrible ordeal. As many people will be located to hotels or sports stadiums, they will have at least running water. If some have to pitch tents, they will need to be supplied with food, water, and hygienic products. These products include:
• Soap (Bar and Liquid)
• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Shampoo
• Clean Water
• Toilets or equivalent
The best we can do is to prepare for the worst. We have plenty of time and resources, so we must conduct proper due diligence. These citizens are not criminals, and they don’t deserve to have to move. We must do our best to keep them safe, even from enemies we cannot foresee.
Professor Griffin
Memo for the public: February 16th, 2011
Marshall Law has been implemented in NYC and an evacuation plan has been complied for each burrow, it is necessary to remain calm and move in an orderly fashion. The roads have been closed with road blocks and National Guard units in place. The Navy and Coast Guard will be working together to set up evacuation points in Newark, Staten Island, and Manhattan. The subways and railways will still be running.
What is Martial Law?
The concept of martial law c in the USA is closely tied with the right of habeas corpus. Habeas corpus is the right to a hearing on lawful imprisonment, meaning the supervision of law enforcement by the judiciary. The ability to suspend habeas corpus is often equated with martial law. Article 1, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution states, "The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it."
The National Guard is an exception. Unless a guard unit is federalized they are under the control of state governors. This was changed briefly: Public Law 109-364, or the "John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007,” which was signed by President Bush on October 17, 2006. This allows the President to declare a public emergency and station troops anywhere in the USA. This entails taking control of the state based National Guard units without the consent of the governor or local authorities. Army units can function as National Guard Units within the borders of the USA, if the governor of a city declares a state of emergency troops can come in to help.
Important Notes
• Take only what you can carry with you.
• Follow your specific burrow evacuation plan
• The roads in certain parts of the city will be blocked only drive if directed to
• The meteors will not strike for some time; there is no need for panic
February 7, 2011
Mr. Joe Gallant
Dept. of Emergency Services
1482 Portland Road
Richmond, Virginia
Dear Mr. Gallant:
Responding to a request from the executive, I come up with an updated plan for a pandemic that incorporates traditional American values. Looking at the preliminary research collected from infected individuals, we have concluded that this outbreak is outside of statistical regularity, even taking into account seasonal variables.
For this reason, we would like to inform the public that they are at a higher risk than normal, and should take extra precautions to protect themselves. As this disease is always mutating, it is important to take proactive measures rather than reactive ones. The following is a list of extra measures that should be taken from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
1. Wash hands as much as possible
2. Plenty of sleep and Vitamin C
3. Avoid contact with other sick people
4. Use your elbow to cover your mouth, not your hands
5. Use plenty of disinfectant in households, especially those with young children, as they are most susceptible
6. Avoid touching your face
7. Do not smoke
We must not underestimate this epidemic. Although it still appears to be the “common cold,” it is spreading faster than ever before, with symptoms that make it more infectious. We urge you to take these necessary precautions.
However, we must not forget what this region was built around. We will try our best to protect the liberties and rights afforded to you by the Constitution. Freedom is especially important to everyone who lives here, and we do not want to create an even more devastating situation by infringing on these rights.
We urge you, as citizens, to realize that it is our job, as the government, to protect the greatest number of people at the lowest cost. We will try to do this without violating any of the base values of this region.
Professor Griffin
Leaders of North America:
America was built on the idea of freedom and it has held strong and stayed true for centuries. The populace has been hearing rumors about lately about the government trying to take away some of our freedoms because something crazy is going on. Most of us think that aliens are plotting an attack but we have no idea because we have been kept in the dark about certain events that may or may not be happening. In response to that I want to remind you of something with this quote, “Osama Bin Laden did not go hiding cause America was looking for him, but because Chuck Norris was.” (http://www.chucknorrisfacts.
Yours in North America,
Memo: The United States and her Canadian ally’s capability to respond to a global pandemic.
Members of the executive committee; before you is our state’s preparedness for a global pandemic. Whether the threat is world war three or a natural threat, such as disease, it is not the time to site at ease we need to prepare.
The threat of a nuclear attack is minimal for the notion of mutually assured destruction. For example during the Cold War the USSR and the USA, both states with second strike capability, never engaged in direct combat let alone nuclear war. This is because if the USSR had launched intercontinental ballistic missiles against us their state would be destroyed as well due to our second strike capability. There are two ways in which a nuclear launch could be conceivable. First if a state developed a missile defense system effective enough to render their rival’s arsenals useless. Without threat of nuclear reprisal they could launch a nuclear attack. Second an irrational actor of the international system gets its hands on nuclear material. Nuclear deterrence assumes that all states that have nuclear arms are led by rational people. However, if a terrorist organization got its hands on nuclear arms a nuclear launch could be possible. Whether you feel that they are irrational; or that not being a state confined to a geographical location their fear of nuclear or even military reprisal is almost non-existent.
The threat of military invasion of North America is minimal even with our military stretched with the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Again our nuclear capabilities should make states hesitant to engage in military action against us. In addition the only threats are the great powers all of which would have to cross either the Atlantic of Pacific oceans to get to us. Also we are protected by NATO, since under the security clause advocating collective security an attack on one member is an attack on all. To remind the committee there are currently twenty eight NATO member states.
A global pandemic such as a new disease could possibly be the greatest threat to our state. Yes North America is relatively isolated only sharing a border with Mexico however, once inside our borders a disease could spread rather rapidly. Shutting down our air ports and ports is relatively easy. In addition deploying the coast guard to ensure that the travel ban is administered would be a good idea. The Mexican border is relatively secure in the sense that there is no military threat from Mexico however; illegal immigrants get across the border daily. A disease if it is to come to the Americas is likely to hit Mexico before it hits the USA since their sanitation, standard of living, and ability to deal with health issues is below ours. If a disease starts to show the signs of becoming a global pandemic in the third world we need to strengthen our borders ensuring zero entry.
Such a crisis will cause panic; the National Guard should be deployed to keep the peace and control population movements. We should begin to start stockpiling our medical facilities with anivirals and vaccines. In addition work with the medical industry to expand our production capacity of these medical countermeasures. Our research centers will be our most valuable asset, since knowing how to combat this disease will greatly improve our chance of survival.
Major components for our preparedness and ready response actions should include:
- Intensifying surveillance and collaborating on containment measures – both international and domestic;
- Stockpiling of antivirals and vaccines and working with industry to expand capacity for production of these medical countermeasures;
- Creating a seamless network of Federal, state and local preparedness, including increasing health care surge capacity; and
- Developing the public education and communications efforts that will be so critical to keeping the public informed [HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan].
Our strategy should be based on an understanding of pandemics and influenza disease, and be guided by several principles.
- Effectiveness will require coordination among Federal, state, local governments, and their partners in the private sector.
- To minimize health effects the public must be informed and responsive.
- An increase in our vaccine production capacity is needed to cover the entire USA population.
- Quantities of antiviral drugs sufficient to treat twenty five percent of the U.S. population should be stockpiled.
Sustained human-to-human transmission anywhere in the world will be the triggering event to initiate a pandemic response by the U.S.
When possible and appropriate, basic public health measures will be employed to reduce person-to-person viral transmission and prevent or delay influenza outbreaks.
At the start of a pandemic, vaccine, which will initially be in short supply, will be procured and distributed to state and local health departments for immunization of predetermined priority groups.
At the onset of a pandemic, antiviral drugs from public stockpiles will be distributed to predetermined priority groups [HHS Pandemic influenza Plan /pandemicflu/plan/]
We do not want to repeat the past with the H1N1 outbreak that revealed gaps in the military pandemic plans. “The rapid spread of swine flu from Mexico surprised Pentagon officials, who had been focused on a possible Asian-borne pandemic in a response plan that would give the military a last-resort role in helping to impose quarantines and border restrictions [Lolita Baldor the Associated Press/ H1N1 outbreak reveals military pandemic plans, gaps/http://www.ems1.com].” Once inside the boarders of the USA a disease will spread quickly, preemptive security measures are necessary.
Office of the President
CC: DOD,DOS,DOE
1700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 200018-546
Executive Summary:
The President, along with his advisory team has established a list of priorities, which, in the case of a global pandemic will be strictly adhered to. The first priroity of the government will be the military security of North America, meaning military action takes priority because without the military, the government will not be as effective in eliminating the pandemic. The second priority is containment of the pandemic. The third is finding a vaccine and cure.
Military Prospective
Our generals have declared a minimal risk of nuclear exchange with other nation states but stated that there is a risk in terms of nuclear terrorism. They also stated that a land invasion of North America is unlikely because the nations that are capable of invading North America are members of NATO and would not invade. In the case of a pandemic, the Joint Chiefs have recommended that the Airports and other ports of entry be shut down, the border should be militarized, the national guard should be mobilized, and that our government facilities be stocked with survival rations and gear.
Scientific Prospective
The science advisers have stated that the first priority in the case of pandemic ought to be to secure our communications with the outside world. The next step would be limiting the spread of the disease and limiting panic.
letters from citizens have indicated that their most important prirority is their well-being and maintaining the status quoe and their way of life.
Once a pandemic is detected inside North America, the following orders will be issued simultaneously in order of priority.
- Our defense posture is to be moved from DEFCON 5(defense condition) to DEFCON2, making our nuclear arsenal ready for deployment. This action would also lock down every international military base, recalling troops outside of bases back to base. At that point each base is authorized to use any force necessary to repel any intruder.
- The president will suspend Habeas Corpus laws which require a court to have a reason for imprisoning someone. Article 1, Section 9, Clause 2, of the Constitution gives the executive the power to suspend this requirement in the case of national emergency or military invasion.
- The national guard of each state will be federalized. Martial law will be established and curtailed to meet the needs of the federal government in order to respond to the pandemic.
- All ports of entry into North America will be closed, all transports bound for North America will be denied entry into North American airspace or territorial waters. Military units stationed near border areas will secure and patrol the borders. Any person or group attempting to enter North America will be turned away with any force nessesary.
- The executive branch will freze all spending on non essential functions and re-direct spending towards militarly mobilization, civilian food supply, quarantine measures, and finding a cure.
- The military will quarantine 10 Square miles around the site of infection and any subsequent infection sites. military quarantine infected areas.
Scientific-Identifying and Responding to Global Pandemic
145 Acacia Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20018
February 7, 2011
Mr. Joe Gallant
Dept. of Emergency Services
1482 Portland Road
Richmond, Virginia
Dear Mr. Gallant:
ACTION PLAN FOR IDENTIFYING AND RESPONDING TO GLOBAL PANDEMIC
You asked me to write to you today to discuss the capabilities of recognizing and handling the potential problem of a global pandemic in the region of North America. I have spoken with my contacts in both Mexico and Canada regarding their capabilities. We have come to a consensus regarding the action plan requested.
With the increase in technology, a pandemic could come in a multitude of ways. We must not limit the type of disaster we are preparing for, as it will likely be something we cannot imagine. However, there are certain steps we can take now so that we all have a protocol to follow. My colleagues and I believe agree that the most important task is protecting our communication lines, both within North America and with the outside world. If a global pandemic occurs on the other side of the world, we must ensure that we find out about it immediately in order to prepare and organize. Necessary steps have been taken to ensure that multiple lines of communication between governments are thoroughly secure.
We have arranged for a fund of money, collected from all three of the governments of North America, to be used in the event of a global pandemic. Although it may be this epidemic is so severe that money becomes useless, it definitely makes everyone feel more secure. One item that was discussed at length was the psychological factors that are involved in a global pandemic. We must be sure to thoroughly plan and discuss before any announcements are given to the public. Announcing a global pandemic could exponentially increase problems for everyone if we aren’t careful. For this reason, we feel that there are not many proactive steps we can take. We have the money set aside, along with safe houses and emergency equipment to use, but we must rely on information from everyone to identify the pandemic as soon as possible.
If such an incident occurs, we have organized a group of doctors and scientists that would be ready to dedicate their time toward finding a solution to any problem. We have facilities that could be contained if need be. The key, again, is communication across all governments of the world. If such an epidemic did occur, no doubt everyone would help out, as it in their best interest. If we all share information, it will make finding a solution that much easier.
If a disease did spread, we must do our best to estimate how it spread. Then we could take actions with regards to high density population areas, as well as travel lanes. We need to stay ready and communicate with one another to best mitigate a crisis.
Sincerely,
Professor Griffin
Military – In concurrence with the American Revolution the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps were established with 1775. The precursor to the Department of Defense, the War Department, was established in 1789. The Coast guard and Air Force were established in 1790 and 1947 respectively. Eventually the senate confirmed that all three branches of military; Army, Navy, and Air Force were to be placed under the control of the Secretary of Defense. In 1949 the National Military establishment became known as the Department of Defense.
The United States is an advanced modern Democracy and a nuclear power with one of the largest nuclear arsenals in the world. The United States is one of the twenty eight NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) members. NATO is a military and political alliance focused on collective security for all member states. It was created April 4th, 1949 to counter act the Warsaw Pact. The paradox is why is it still in existence today with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991?
According to Fareed Zakaria, a political scientist and host on CNN, after the fall of the USSR the USA became the Hegemon over international system. However, it seems that the world is moving back towards a multipolar system.
- Top Issues
- The War in Afghanistan
- The war began on October 7, 2001as the USA Armed Forces along with NATO invaded the country. The justification for the war was to remove the safe haven to Al-Qaeda and its use of the Afghan territory as a base of operations for anti-US terrorist activities. Following the September 11 attacks on the United States, Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attacks.
- The War in Iraq
- On March 20, 2003, the USA invaded Iraq leading a multinational force under the administration of President George W. Bush; and the United Kingdom under Prime Minister Tony Blair. The concern was that Iraq who failed to comply with UN inspectors had Weapons of Mass Destruction and would use them against the United States and her allies thus threatening national security.
- When the United States presented its case to invade Iraq to the UN Security Council, who can overrule the General Assembly, the Security Council voted no. Of Course the United States, arguably being the hegemon at the time, invaded anyway.
- Warrior Care
- An alarming amount of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are being prescribed anti –depressants.
- Soldiers once home are having a difficult time readjusting to civilian life.
Safety – The United States and Canada are relatively safe places to travel, there are no travel advisories against either state.
Technology – The United States has the most technologically advanced military in the world and is a nuclear power. Compared to the Russian Federation that is a nuclear power but is still using equipment from the seventies. However, the AK-47 is the most widely used firearm in the world.
