employees told me their produce trucks were not running on a regular schedule.”
“I’ll call DeLuca’s on Newbury Street and have them deliver what I need,” said Julia.
“Don’t bother. I drove by DeLuca’s, but they closed early.”
“Who is buying up all the food, Sarge?”
“I think it’s a matter of why aren’t they producing more food,” he replied.
“We discussed this in the editorial meeting today. Listen to this. The drought conditions in California are beyond severe, especially around Sacramento. Governor Brown ordered the national guard to raid a family farming operation in the San Joaquin Valley.”
“Why?” asked Sarge.
“The farmer was accused of using well water for his crops in violation of the governor’s mandated water restrictions,” replied Julia. “According to the governor’s directive, farmers are prohibited from over-pumping the wells for irrigation purposes. Based upon an EPA study, the value of the crops produced is insignificant to the damage caused to the environment by over-pumping. Before the EPA could issue its own regulations, California acted quickly to create its own mandated restrictions.”
“What happened?”
“These reports are being suppressed by the media, but the man stood his ground and refused the National Guard access to his land. He was holding a flag and stated he was a patriot. His family stood behind him, shouting at the guardsmen. According to reports, a guardsman ordered the farmer to get on the ground because he was under arrest. When the farmer began waving his flag instead, they shot him.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“No. It gets worse. The National Guard, with the assistance of the Bureau of Land Management, confiscated the crops, arrested the remaining family members, and seized the land under federal forfeiture provisions.”
As Julia fixed them a small salad, Sarge made his way to the windows overlooking the Charles River. This story was troubling on many levels. The government was halting food production in favor of saving the environment? Moreover, the full force of the military was used to arrest a farmer, confiscate his crops and seize his land because he used the water under his land to irrigate his crops . If this isn’t tyranny, what is ?
“Sarge?”
“Okay,” replied Sarge. “Let’s not talk about the rest of the world. I like ours right here, right now, just fine.”
Julia used her best French hostess voice. “Monsieur, this will be an enchanting evening featuring a refreshing salad, braised beef and a dessert that will be, shall I say, breathtaking.”
“I like anniversaries.”
PART TWO
Chapter 21
June 2, 2016
100 Beacon
Boston, Massachusetts
“What are they building in the fire escape?” asked Steven as he exited the elevator.
Sarge was intently watching the television monitors as Steven spoke. “I have them reinforcing the access doors to our floors and putting bars on the inside of the fire escape windows,” replied Sarge as he studied the various news reports. Sarge felt Steven staring at him.
“Are you expecting zombies, bro?” asked Steven.
“No, but have you noticed the way people are acting?”
“Yeah, they’re going bat-shit crazy,” replied Steven. “I guess it makes sense. What about the windows on the street level?”
“The Boston Historical Society wouldn’t approve it,” replied Sarge. “It wasn’t consistent with the period . They’re sheep.”
“What’s the latest?” asked Steven. Sarge wished his brother would pay more attention to the news, but then Steven’s job was more executioner than planner.
“It’s hard to find any good news,” replied Sarge. “The economy’s tanking. The recession numbers are far worse than the sugarcoated version Washington feeds us. Farmers can’t afford to produce crops and grocers can’t stock their shelves. Food distribution channels are totally disrupted due to the cost of fuel. Our economy is built on
“I’ll call DeLuca’s on Newbury Street and have them deliver what I need,” said Julia.
“Don’t bother. I drove by DeLuca’s, but they closed early.”
“Who is buying up all the food, Sarge?”
“I think it’s a matter of why aren’t they producing more food,” he replied.
“We discussed this in the editorial meeting today. Listen to this. The drought conditions in California are beyond severe, especially around Sacramento. Governor Brown ordered the national guard to raid a family farming operation in the San Joaquin Valley.”
“Why?” asked Sarge.
“The farmer was accused of using well water for his crops in violation of the governor’s mandated water restrictions,” replied Julia. “According to the governor’s directive, farmers are prohibited from over-pumping the wells for irrigation purposes. Based upon an EPA study, the value of the crops produced is insignificant to the damage caused to the environment by over-pumping. Before the EPA could issue its own regulations, California acted quickly to create its own mandated restrictions.”
“What happened?”
“These reports are being suppressed by the media, but the man stood his ground and refused the National Guard access to his land. He was holding a flag and stated he was a patriot. His family stood behind him, shouting at the guardsmen. According to reports, a guardsman ordered the farmer to get on the ground because he was under arrest. When the farmer began waving his flag instead, they shot him.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“No. It gets worse. The National Guard, with the assistance of the Bureau of Land Management, confiscated the crops, arrested the remaining family members, and seized the land under federal forfeiture provisions.”
As Julia fixed them a small salad, Sarge made his way to the windows overlooking the Charles River. This story was troubling on many levels. The government was halting food production in favor of saving the environment? Moreover, the full force of the military was used to arrest a farmer, confiscate his crops and seize his land because he used the water under his land to irrigate his crops . If this isn’t tyranny, what is ?
“Sarge?”
“Okay,” replied Sarge. “Let’s not talk about the rest of the world. I like ours right here, right now, just fine.”
Julia used her best French hostess voice. “Monsieur, this will be an enchanting evening featuring a refreshing salad, braised beef and a dessert that will be, shall I say, breathtaking.”
“I like anniversaries.”
PART TWO
Chapter 21
June 2, 2016
100 Beacon
Boston, Massachusetts
“What are they building in the fire escape?” asked Steven as he exited the elevator.
Sarge was intently watching the television monitors as Steven spoke. “I have them reinforcing the access doors to our floors and putting bars on the inside of the fire escape windows,” replied Sarge as he studied the various news reports. Sarge felt Steven staring at him.
“Are you expecting zombies, bro?” asked Steven.
“No, but have you noticed the way people are acting?”
“Yeah, they’re going bat-shit crazy,” replied Steven. “I guess it makes sense. What about the windows on the street level?”
“The Boston Historical Society wouldn’t approve it,” replied Sarge. “It wasn’t consistent with the period . They’re sheep.”
“What’s the latest?” asked Steven. Sarge wished his brother would pay more attention to the news, but then Steven’s job was more executioner than planner.
“It’s hard to find any good news,” replied Sarge. “The economy’s tanking. The recession numbers are far worse than the sugarcoated version Washington feeds us. Farmers can’t afford to produce crops and grocers can’t stock their shelves. Food distribution channels are totally disrupted due to the cost of fuel. Our economy is built on
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