Looking to the future... [OPEN]

[astonishing_xmods]

WHO: Everyone
WHAT: Two things, first the President's Address, and then the news of the world, brought right to your school!
WHERE: On any television, radio, or computer screen (assuming they're on a news site)
WHEN: The presidential address happened on Monday, the news events are more current
WARNING(S): mentions of school violence in one of the news posts, and as always, if a thread goes into warning label territory, either throw it in the subject line or take it to a separate log.

[On a small, raised stage set up in the White House gardens, there’s a polished wood podium with the presidential seal on the front. President Kelly, with more gray in his hair than he had as a senator, approaches it, adjusting his glasses and viewing the assembled members of the press in thoughtful silence for a moment before he speaks.]

My fellow Americans.

We stand once again at a crossroads, faced with choices of great importance. At home and abroad, we have been faced new challenges with the rise of the mutant population - challenges in our military, in our courtrooms, in our society, in our homes and our families. We are in a perilous place, and our unity as Americans under question. It is crucial, at this juncture, to take a firm stance on these matters, and position ourselves towards the future.

The Mutant Registration Act… is not what our path forward should look like.

[There’s murmuring among the press, indistinct, but fairly shocked in tone. He holds up his hand for quiet.]

Five years ago, I stood in support of Project Wideawake, an initiative which purported to improve our nation’s security. Instead, as a direct result, many Americans were robbed of their dignity, of the due process to which each of us has a right. Innocent lives were put in danger, and some lost, because we allowed ourselves to be blinded by power and fear. We are a nation founded in the promise of freedom, and in creating second-class citizens, we betrayed that promise... I cannot in good conscience support such measures again, and if this bill passes, it is my intention to veto it immediately.

Looking to the future, we must focus on developing inclusive solutions for these real issues, ones which affect all Americans and all people in our world today -- solutions will which protect our society, without sacrificing the freedom or dignity of any of its members. Together, we can create a better America, one that is safe for all its citizens.

Thank you, and good night.

"... shocked the entertainment world today by coming out at a live show in Los Angeles that she was, in fact, mutant. Dazzler, real name Alison Blaire, used the opportunity in front of thousands of fans and millions watching at as the show was broadcast live on HBO, to finally 'come out of the closet', as she said. She demonstrated her powers by performing a cover of the classic pop tune "Born this Way", with slightly altered lyrics, and a custom light show produced by her mutant powers. Dazzler later told the press 'The era where we all have to hide who we are is ending. Mutants don't have to be afraid anymore' She said that it was President Kelly's words than inspired her to finally have the courage to come out..."


"... controversial radio host Hunter Hellquist reported a record breaking amount of call-in traffic for his radio program. 'The country fed up with a goverment that is refusing to stand by its people. President Kelly betrayed us with his aims to veto the Mutant Registration Act and my listeners had a lot to say about it', Hellquist quoted towards the end of his broadcast that day..."


"... a huge success in Central Park with massive turnout. Sublime told the press that he was honored that so many people have taken up his banner. He was further honored that President Kelly has moved away from the Mutant Registration Act and has said he would gladly speak before congress to propose alternative solutions to mutant related legal issues..."


"... new details of the bombing in London reveal that the explosive was most likely constructed using mutant abilities. The casing for the bomb, in particular, was made from what investigators claimed was 'extremely dense bone matter'. One of the proposed suspects, The Vanisher, is still at large and has not been located by investigating authorities..."


"... shot and killed by police after holding up a school assembly at gunpoint and resisting arrest. The young man, claiming to be joining a group called the 'U-Men' had only moments ago killed and mutilated another student, a closeted mutant. Before police became involved, he also claimed he was going to use parts of the other student's body to gain his mutant powers. We warn our viewers that the following gruesome footage is very graphic, and that they should take discretion... "

Comments

[the_prodigal_son]

Don't call me a bitch.

[That bothers him way more than anything else Feliks just said.]

You'd be just as happy with yourself if you weren't mutant. But less people would hate you. That's true, isn't it?

[niepokonany]

[He puts a hand on his hip, coming near the limit of his ability to veil his annoyance.]

I'd love me no matter what. But the people who can't say that? Who cares if they hate me? I'd way rather have the people who know about it and still love me than them, any day of the week.

[the_prodigal_son]

[...And this bothers him for a new reason. Feliks's superior confidence is starting to throw a wrench in his own..]

Would you say that if you didn't have anyone who liked you that much? What if everyone hated you?

[niepokonany]

If everyone hated me, everyone would be wrong and kind of an asshole about it, so why would I want them to like me anyway?

[the_prodigal_son]

If everyone hated you you wouldn't be so sure you're worth liking.

[He's not even sure where he's going with this, but it seems important to note. Important enough to actually speak, at least.

He pauses before speaking again.] If everyone was a mutant except you, would you pretend to be mutant too? Or try to tell everyone being normal is great?

[niepokonany]

Everyone hated me at my old school, or didn't care. But they totally don't know me like I do!

And I'd still be me, mutant or not, so it really doesn't matter? I'd be proud either way.

[the_prodigal_son]

[...He falls silent. He can't argue with all that boundless confidence, it's just depressing to him.]

I guess it's different these days. [He's not happy. Not happy at all. This conversation has gone nowhere and he's not even sure he can articulate anything that'll bring Feliks onto his side of things. Where does he even start?]

[niepokonany]

I guess so.

[He falls quiet for a second, then decides he doesn't want to talk about this anymore.]

Anyway! I'm like, gonna go put on Lawfully Blonde and mess with my research paper. Later!

[Wild Feliks fled!]