The Falklands War didn't last long. Both sides were careful with their actions, although saying they were careful isn't quite accurate. The truth was, neither side could sustain the fight, so they decided to return to their pre-war positions.
Shifting conflicts is no easy task. While starting an external war can open doors, you have to win it; otherwise, you've just made things worse.
Not talking about the Falklands mess, just as the sea and air battle wrapped up, smoke rose again in the desert regions.
It seemed like this small ally of America didn't listen. After bombing Saddam's nuclear power station, they went on to attack Beirut.
Well, the U.S. continued with its biases. Even though they were quite angry, they still felt compelled to support their ally.
Aside from NBC, other media outlets chose to report in a low-key manner. As for fairness and justice? Ha, that's non-existent.
NBC's stance was odd too, only calling for everyone to remain calm.
Haha, bet many folks were grumbling, "You're too much, don't you have any sense of right and wrong?"
Actually, it's impossible to be without a stance.
But would you dare say something?
Questioning national policy?
You won't last long.
Of course, William White wasn't backing wars, not because of any moral high ground. He'd go with the flow if the benefits were sufficient.
In America's anti-war climate, it wouldn't do to go against public opinion.
What else could he do? In fact, NBC's viewership increased as soon as the Falklands War started. The reason was simple, just anti-war. Such an approach isn't bad unless you want everyone against you.
"Hey, where's George?"
"He left; he's got loads to do. How's it going over at MTV?"
"Not bad, lots of young folks, not much trouble."
"Haha, Jason, when I become an old coot, these guys will be old too."
"Boss, how come everyone's fighting everywhere? There won't really be a world war, will there?"
"Heh, no way! It's a bit weird, but the reason there's no world war is nuclear weapons."
"Why?"
"Since mutual destruction is possible, starting another big war is too scary. No one can handle it. Don't think the Soviets aren't afraid to die; they wouldn't dare act rashly."
"Tsk, so that's how it is."
William White knew the greatest threat came from terrorists. Everything else was secondary, and as for those corporations, they wouldn't last forever.
"Let's go, Jason, time for lunch."
"Yeah, let's go. I am getting hungry."
"How's the food over at MTV?"
"Not as good as here but better than at school."
William White felt a bit upset. If you can't speak well, don't speak. Comparing my French chef to school fast-food, really? Well, actually, he liked school burgers himself.
"Boss, those animal rights folks haven't been giving you trouble?"
"Yeah, I had a go at them the other day. I just asked, shouldn't you care about people more? What's more important, the same species or those silly simple creatures?"
"Haha, that bunch must've gone dark in the face?"
"Useless, they're all zealots. You know what being a zealot means?"
Seeing Jason shake his head, William White just sighed.
"Zealots are basically nuts. Next time they come, I'll call the psychiatric hospital."
"Haha, who'd believe that?"
"No need for people to believe it, as long as they're scared. Jason, you know, the guy who shot the President was released without charge."
"That's ridiculous, right?"
"More than that. They're talking about some deep show of love; I really want to know how dark the President's heart is."
"No way, not going after that lady, are they?"
"Ah, this kind of ruling is beyond absurd. I'll just say it now, anyone bothering me is a lunatic. What do you think, will those animal rights nuts catch a big break?"
"No way, boss, that's a bit too much."
"Hmph, anyway, those agents have plenty of time. Might as well keep the peace."
Honestly, those guys really were persistent. War was raging everywhere; was it that important how a lobster died?
...
"Damn it, what's that supposed to mean, anger, stubbornness, possibly violent tendencies? What have you been doing lately?"
"President, we're still the same as before, nothing's changed."
"Sigh, it's not me saying this, but don't you have anything else to do? William White owns media; do you want to be branded as lunatics?"
These unfortunate animal rights folks truly were unfortunate. Insinuating they were crazy didn't persuade anyone. With a push here and there, the outcome was different.
William White finally got to enjoy his lobster meal openly, with a crowd of armed bodyguards in tow.
His theory was, zealots are nuts; a nut who kills gets released without charge, so he's lacking in safety.
Why label them zealots? Simple, Africa was facing famine, people were dying of hunger, yet they didn't care because they weren't Americans. The lobsters he ate were Australian; what right did they have to interfere?
Sounded kinda logical, didn't it?
At least, that's what the average person thought. Those so-called protectionists were just fooling around. The world was still ablaze, people were still starving, and they had nothing better to do!
...
Lately, William White seemed to have lots of free time, always bickering with people, seemingly in an exceptionally energetic state.
Faced with such a childish guy, a bunch of old folks was helpless. Now they could say he's young, but unfortunately, his media empire was a well-oiled machine influencing half the world.
Folks at Citicorp finally got it; the media was William White's core, messing with his main plans meant going head-to-head with him.
Why not say something?
Citicorp's old-timers' laments weren't known to William White. Even if he knew, he wouldn't care. "Have you lost your marbles? If you knew my plans, they'd have been wrecked ages ago."
"The old should get out of the way," had some truth to it.
Economic malaise remained unchanged, and the world seemed to be in turmoil once more. Now, not just America, but most people worldwide called for peace.
Media sometimes reflected government preference, at least to a certain extent. Whenever America's allies bullied someone, America's TV stations always backed them up.
Unexpectedly, it was different this time. America's ally seemed a bit out of control, and this was intolerable. They had to unite and criticize.
*****
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