astonishing_xmods: (Default)
The Xavier Institute Mod Journal ([personal profile] astonishing_xmods) wrote in [community profile] xavier_institute_logs2014-09-24 04:53 pm

Looking to the future... [OPEN]

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... "
fuckuimametalbender: (Wut)

[personal profile] fuckuimametalbender 2014-09-24 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[Toph is in one the common rooms, listening to the news]

...so, anyone else think Kelly's been replaced by Mystique or something?
diabhal_beag: (Conversative)

[personal profile] diabhal_beag 2014-09-24 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Nah, seems too obvious.
eternalprincess: (Jeweled Branch)

[personal profile] eternalprincess 2014-09-24 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[Quite honestly, she was rather surprised by the change of heart Kelly seemed to have, but honestly, she was glad he did. As she sat in this common room, it was hard not to feel a profound sense of relief. Not many things frightened her as much as the Mutant Registration Act did, after all.]

Did he really just veto the Mutant Registration Act just now?
fuckuimametalbender: (GTFO And Take Your Fail With You)

[personal profile] fuckuimametalbender 2014-09-24 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Taken over by aliens?
presto_turn: (Uhm ♬ Oh that's uncomfortable)

[personal profile] presto_turn 2014-09-24 11:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[Shindou's unable to keep the floored look off his face as he leans against one arm of the couch.

It takes a few dazed blinks, lips slightly parted, before he speaks up:]


I should feel guilty that that sounds easier to believe than the real thing.
niepokonany: (What what WHAT are you doing?)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2014-09-24 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Technically, no? He said he will, if it passes in Congress.
fuckuimametalbender: (Wut)

[personal profile] fuckuimametalbender 2014-09-24 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
No, it's totally more believable. This guy was a dick five years ago, and while I'm all for people changing there is a limit to that change, okay?
presto_turn: (Wild ♬ Surveying the field)

[personal profile] presto_turn 2014-09-24 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
It is hard to believe he'd reverse himself now. Being saved by the X-Men didn't even change his mind before.

[He shrugs with pent-up anxiety. Jeez, even good news stresses him out now.]

Maybe the Sentinels were a step too far for him, though. We should try to hope, right?
fuckuimametalbender: (Go Away I Don't Want You Here)

[personal profile] fuckuimametalbender 2014-09-24 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, as long as he vetos that stupid bill and isn't an idiot about anything else, he could be a robot for all I care.
knighterrantofthedragon: Alric looking aside pensively (pensive)

[personal profile] knighterrantofthedragon 2014-09-24 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Although not one to make grandiose public outbursts about his opinions, Alric can be found later that day around the institute grounds (either up a tree or in a relatively quiet common area), with a notepad, sketching out comments on the day's news pieces--particularly expressing pleasant surprise at the bold stance announced by President Kelly regarding the Mutant Registration Act, and (somewhat cautious) optimism that it will pave the way toward a responsible approach to the fact of mutant citizens that unifies, rather than dividing, nations, communities, and families.

He's mostly working on refining the language of that cautious optimism, with a lot of crossing-out and rewriting for that purpose. What he's got are more like notes or talking points than an essay, though.

He also has some more general notes on the other issues--generally upbeat, where there's something to be upbeat about in the news. Regarding the bombing and shooting, his notes are roughest: reprehensible acts of violence, but underscoring that they represent human evils, not specifically mutant or non-mutant.
presto_turn: (Cptn ♬ Ibuki get away from me)

[personal profile] presto_turn 2014-09-24 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
If it were really someone else, though... Mystique was part of the reason the school was attacked before, too...

[A frustrated huff.]

...No, you're right, I'm just going to be thankful for this.
fuckuimametalbender: (Don't Piss Me Off)

[personal profile] fuckuimametalbender 2014-09-24 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Like I said, as long as he stays smart I don't care what he really is. If it's Mystique in a disguise, a robot, an alien, I don't care. Just as long as he won't be a dumbass.
niepokonany: (So we kill ourselves? KILL OURSELVES?)

[personal profile] niepokonany 2014-09-24 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[A]

[No one has time to watch the news all the time, but no way is he going to miss this address when it's been built up to so much. It's probably the introduction of some new keystone of his policy -- some other point of his agenda to keep an eye on. He's in one of the common areas, lounging about in his pajamas, but he does put down his tablet and pay attention when the address starts.]

[At first, he's sitting there sniping at every other remark -- "Blah blah blah, oh my god this is stuff we all know..." "A firm stance, huh? 'Cause that ended so great the first time!"]

[--and then he's silent. What? What?]


[B]

OK, that's way rad and all, but God, why is this stuff still news? Like how many of us have to come out before it's like "what's even the point?"

[C]

[Feliks rolls his eyes at the coverage of the Sublime rally, curling up over his knees a little bit.]

"Witnesses go on to say that Sublime was, 'like, mad creepy', but whatever, free hot dogs!" Seriously, God, give me a break...
kamiizumi: (131)

[personal profile] kamiizumi 2014-09-24 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[Leo with a cup of tea on the couch in the lounge for the evening news is becoming a pretty familiar sight, even this early in the term.

And considering his earlier interest in the London bombing, you better believe he's hanging onto every development of that one.]


Well, at least that's better than "a few civilians said it looked impossible."

[Not that he doesn't still have plenty of questions that haven't been adequately answered.

And if you happen to catch him later in the program, when the U-Men story comes on, he doesn't have a word for that one - he just sits up a lot straighter, leaning forward a bit as the graphic footage comes on, his expression darkening.]
nobodysweapon: (1 Present - Investigation)

[personal profile] nobodysweapon 2014-09-24 11:58 pm (UTC)(link)
*Laura also gave the T.V. her complete attention as the story of the boy trying to gain mutant powers via corpse mutilation came to the forefront. Something in her mind clicked and she looked... well she looked moody, creepy, and emotionally detatched.*

...I do not think this is a new phenomenon.

*She hadn't given the mutant organ harvesting much thought, it was five years ago. And she didn't attach it to the kidnapping of Toph Bei Fong due to clear differences in operations. But... the concept that mutant organs can provide super human ability is not unheard of. The grafting process was just too complicated for the Facility, and too... amoral, for S.H.I.E.L.D. and other U.S. controlled attempts to recreate the Super Soldier program. She would need to talk to a member of the X-Men about her suspicions.*
the_prodigal_son: With my worn out shoes (Spooked♪ You're giving me)

b

[personal profile] the_prodigal_son 2014-09-25 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Jack was just passing by, but that comment caught his attention. This seems like a knowledgeable person. And that seems like new information. He shuffles a bit closer.

Which he seems to think is stealthy. And, while his footsteps are quiet, he is 6'2.
]

Is it normal to be open about it? [He asks in full earnesty because it's not like he knows anything about it.]
diabhal_beag: (Conversative)

[personal profile] diabhal_beag 2014-09-25 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
Possible, but being nice to mutants doesn't exactly seem very Skrull-like.
fuckuimametalbender: (Wut)

[personal profile] fuckuimametalbender 2014-09-25 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
It's not very Kelly like either.
batteredbatter: (That doesn't sound right.)

[personal profile] batteredbatter 2014-09-25 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
[A]



[Koshi's all smiles at the Presidential speech until he sees some of the expressions around him]

That's... that's a good thing, right?

[Yeah, guess who has no idea that this is a completely bizarre 180 for Kelly?]

[B]



[Koshi is slightly disappointed Sublime's thing wasn't about wolf people but okay]

So, did anyone here go to that thing?

[C]



[He looks pretty shaken up during the report about the school murder case. In fact, he starts sweating and looks almost pale by the time he gets up and he's quickly walking out of the room before the announcer starts to give that warning.]

[personal profile] wholovesyou 2014-09-25 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
[Dazzler]
Hmm, shame. I was hoping this would be a different kind of 'coming out.' [Moxxi knows what she likes, and she's not talking the light shows themselves. But it's okay.

She can wait.]


[Hunter Hellquist]
I'm about two seconds from calling in some favors and having this jackass permanently taken off the air.

[Oh Moxxi, you're such a kidder.

Wait why are you taking out your phone.]


[U-Men]
Did they really not have anything better to call themselves than that?
kamiizumi: (007)

[personal profile] kamiizumi 2014-09-25 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Laura, he's been finding, is a pretty good person to watch the news with. She doesn't talk over it or interrupt things unless she's got something relevant to say, and what she does have to say is usually interesting - and he can certainly appreciate the less sanitized version of things, even if his own encounters with the ugly side of the world have been a lot more locally contained than hers.]

What's happened before?
diabhal_beag: (Conversative)

[personal profile] diabhal_beag 2014-09-25 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
I do agree, though he did have the change of heart all those years ago - he's more or less consistent with that, at least.

Could be one of many other sorts of controller, of course. Or something simpler - isn't he married? If it turned out his wife was a mutant..
fuckuimametalbender: (Default)

[personal profile] fuckuimametalbender 2014-09-25 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
Or his kid or something. Can you imagine being the mutant kid of the guy who supported Wideawake, though?
diabhal_beag: (Wibble)

[personal profile] diabhal_beag 2014-09-25 02:17 am (UTC)(link)
I'd rather not think about it.
fuckuimametalbender: (Toph's Attempt at Typing)

[personal profile] fuckuimametalbender 2014-09-25 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
If that is the case, I am going to call that poor kid up and offer my condolences.

[And advice on how to deal with a possibly jerkass father]

Seriously though, what's got him vetoing the MRA?

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