Abacus Brief Ch 6: ethical hackers & human rights

At one time pirates were said to have used the island's bay as a base. People still seek hidden treasures that were left behind when one night the friendly natives attacked, leaving no survivors. The rotten hulks of the pirate ships are still popular dive sites, but no treasures have been reported found. Occasionally a golden doubloon or two washes ashore by a hotel after a storm. Those occurrences may be publicity stunts by hotel casinos. Create a little romance, a little greed, and a lot of hope - wait for the suckers to arrive.

But tourism is way down. Wars, tyrannical leaders, kidnappings, disappearances, torture, minor battles, these do tend to discourage guests. The result is normal, violent people want it all, so they destroy. They claim war and destruction bring prosperity, but ignore the great losses suffered where they won't look. Money spent rebuilding is money that would have been used to create an abundance beyond what had existed. A contractor replacing the burned down houses may profit, but he could have profited building new houses just as well, and those that lived in the gutted village would still be alive.

Shawny and I are attending a gala celebration, part of it was for us, part for the jail break, and several other parts that wanted attention. I gather these galas happen quite often. Somehow Shawny is here physically, but her mind is elsewhere. "Is there a problem?" I ask. She nods, then continues the nod to indicate direction. We head outside. I'm getting to know her.

"I have just learned there was a double murder in the restaurant where I met you. Shawny was there, but was not the target." Shawny stops to compose herself. "two men walked in, blasted the day manager and co-manger, and walked out. They took nothing, it was not robbery."

"So you have organized crime on the island too. I take it the restaurant is privately owned, and turning down offers to sell?"

"Several crime syndicates, some ethnic. others just opportunistic. There of course are the political parties, but they usually try lawfare and extortion before they resort to violence. There my be a half dozen sides in this war, all hoping to win the big prize, control of our island."

"It's always hard to pin down how many are petty criminals that may kill for profit, and those for whom overall control is worth any action. Is the owner of the restaurant a tribe member?"

Shawny laughs, but it lacks her sweet melody of mirth. "To protect our simplistic culture from corruption, the democratic majority have ruled tribe members may not own property. We are even prohibited from high level management positions, again by vote, again 'for the natives protection."

"Do they then let you educate yourselves in a 'traditional manner,' or are you indoctrinated without the pretense that it is to empower your future?"

Shawnee actually grimaces. "Those that live outside the city in villages are forced into Other's schools for one year, then booted out. Long enough to learn the daily allegiance pledge and loyalty oath. Beyond that we learn how lucky we are to have been rescued from savagery by noble conquerors. Rewritten histories are emphasized, everything else is neglected or purposely made confusing. All the lessons are so short, none of those kids are allowed to concentrate on a difficult problem until solved.They teach short attention spans. In The People's cities we have unlearning schools, homeschooling, and unschooling."

"The Other's children get a full decade or more of compliance and loyalty training?"

"They do, you make it sound like a bad thing."

"Not for us. If we can remake the Island's government, the majority of Other citizens have been trained to be easily managed. This will make our transition smoother. Out with the old -- in with the new -- all obey the new supreme authority."

"You're planning something, aren't you."

"A few necessary hacks, and then what might be a bloodless revolution."

"Is that all?"

"No, I would like you to marry me. Be warned, our wedding may also help our revolution. But as you know, that is not why I want your hand in marriage, and your hand in mine forever. I love you."

"I want to marry you, but by island law, natives are not allowed to marry outsiders. It seems we have many reasons to marry. The most important is I love you too."

"Tonight I will write a generic program displaying your history as a citizen of Elldee, that will show our wedding's third anniversary date as next week. I will prepare a generic program for myself also, confirming. We will not use these unless necessary, but they will always be at hand."

"I still want a tribal wedding. Grandfather leads many Bible studies, he can perform a private service. I never could understand why the Others allow a government and laws to be involved in something as sacred as a marriage. Is tomorrow too soon?"

"Almost too long a wait. I'll have the former head of the Elldee church, Prince Paul, perform our wedding in Elldee, when we travel there. Since his abdication Pahl has separated churches from bondage to the state, but he still has his high vestments. Our marriage is for eternity, I think he will be able to rationalize a three year old marriage. If not King Jacob will declare it so, and we can celebrate four marriages. We may have another, more public wedding here, once we get some laws changed. I must love you a lot to marry you that many times."

"And I You. Lots of weddings, okay. But none tied to man's laws. What now?"

"I need your help in planning the revolution. Let's contact Grandfather and set up our ceremony. Then arrange a meeting of the Bills to start logistics for island governance transition. We can meet in my garden."

"The Planning for the revolution starts tonight?"

"We don't need to rush, We can see the Bills in three days, after our honeymoon. in fact I would advice against rushing the revolution. It may take years before everything is in place for a final move. But a basic strategy can be discussed before you and I separate from each other for the last time as only very good friends."

She smiles, "Once again our tribe faces rapacious pirates that have forced themselves upon us. Once again we will win."

"And survive, don't forget we are supposed to survive. Fighting a despotic democracy, violent opposition parties, and organized crime all at the same time. It will be a challenge."

I look at Shawnee, a smile on her face, and with a knowing wink she repeats something I often say when faced with the impossible. I join her in chorus:

"It will be fun!"

We fell laughingly toward each other, our ensuing kisses and hugs, sweet promises.

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Every Crack In the Sidewalk

""Our knowledge is so limited, our abilities seem so inadequate, most people see themselves as small insects.

They cope by being serious about whatever crack in the sidewalk they were born into.

Ignoring limitless potential within a wondrous world, they cling to the security of their limited crack.

Crawl out of the crack, take a few steps down the sidewalk, then decide where you want to fly."

Allan R. Wallace





"Leave paths that force you to walk in the wrong direction." - Allan Wallace

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