Forty-Second Scheme [Public]

[smokydemon]

Combating terrorism, my ass. Those sons of bitches don't have the first damned idea who was behind the assassinations or the bombings, and they're trying to draw attention away from their own ignorance by picking on an easy target. Taking money from a disadvantaged group while they're at it... Fucking wretches

Comments

[spannertime]

This is just... unfair.

I don't think I like Ivona or Vohemar much these days.

[smokydemon]

People do stupid things when they feel threatened. And the larger the groups of people involved, the stupider their actions.

Vohemar has its problems--steadily increasing ones at the moment-- but at least the corruption here isn't as deep-rooted and old as it is in Ivona. There's a chance to fight it here.

[Private to Souji]

...It will be all right.

[spannertime]

But... they're picking on people who haven't even done anything! If they need the money, they should just be open about it... I'm sure everyone would be okay with that... it couldn't be a very large tax if this is how they're trying to collect it...

And if it's not about the money, then it's just silly. What do demihumans have to do with bombs anyway? I could build a better bomb than the ones we found on the ship, and I didn't even go to school for very long, let alone have any sort of special powers.

[Private to Hijikata]

...I know everyone's all right while we're on the ship... I just...

Don't like the idea of not having anywhere I want to call home anymore.

Voice

[smokydemon]

The money is, in all likelihood, an afterthought. They're trying to divert attention from their inability to deal with the real threats by focusing on a scapegoat. Demihumans are an easy target because they're a minority with obvious differences from the majority, and can therefore easily be marginalized and made less "real" in the public consciousness. It's not about the money, or even about guilt. It's about fear, and reacting to it by blaming the easiest target.

[Private to Souji]

If no one is acting rightly, then we'll just have to change things.

But no matter what the rest of the world does...You'll always have a home. I promise.

Voice

[spannertime]

But... that's dumb. All you have to do is look at the network to see that people don't believe it. Why even start something like that?

[Private to Hijikata]

I guess...

I know. I just wish... [sighs]

Voice

[smokydemon]

The majority of those of us with journal access don't, no. We're not necessarily representative of the population as a whole. And people foolish enough to make this kind of decision in the first place are probably too foolish to accurately anticipate public reactions, anyway.

[Private to Souji]

...I know.

Voice

[spannertime]

I suppose we'll have to hope that some of the papers will spread word of how pointless this all is, hm?

I just don't understand why they'd make something like this up just so people thing they're doing something. I doubt anyone will be less afraid, this way.

[Private to Hijikata]
[Obviously trying to sound more confident.]

It's all right. I'd be happy stuck in the middle of the desert so long as you were there, too.

Voice

[smokydemon]

Maybe they don't want people "less afraid", just afraid and putting blind, terrified faith in them.

[Private to Souji]

[Snorts a little] You don't have to try so hard. I know you like having other friends. It's fine.

Voice

[spannertime]

They would have to be far more organized to inspire faith in me, that's for sure. They probably should have tried addressing something that was a real problem... I haven't heard of any municipal buildings--or anything that wasn't an airship--being attacked.

[Private to Hijikata]

...I do but... it's not a necessity.

Voice

[smokydemon]

Well, you aren't an idiot. Never have been.

[Private to Souji]

Hush. It's good for you to have them around, and we aren't going to lose what we have here.