Core Beliefs - Chapter 55 - New Recruits

Core Beliefs – Chapter 55 - New Recruits

Monday, February 2nd, Matt flew to Washington, DC, for a meeting with Senator Saulman Coldwell. He took a cab to the Senate office building and, with some difficulty, located the senator’s office. The receptionist greeted him brightly and led him to the senator’s office. She said the senator was on his way back from a meeting, and it would only be a few minutes.

Matt settled into a comfortable chair. He knew exactly what he wanted to discuss and trusted he could direct the conversation.

Senator Coldwell came in, apologizing for being late. Matt stood, and the two men shook hands. The senator offered refreshments, and Matt said coffee would be good. The senator’s secretary brought the coffee and closed the door as she left the room. They were alone.

“Senator, thank you for your time,” Matt said,

“I’m the one who feels honored that you would come to see me,” Coldwell said.

“Senator, I want to thank you for your help with the aid trip to Africa.”

Senator Coldwell gazed at him. Matt sensed he was troubled.

“Matthew, the stance our country has taken, literally ignoring those helpless souls, is a matter of shame. If what I did helped in any way, then I am gratified.”

Matt smiled, “Your help brought hope where desperation and disease were about to crush many. They have additional resources that are easing some of their greatest fears.”

“In one trip, you accomplished that?” the senator peered at Matt.

“In one trip, we started wheels in motion that will allow that to happen.”

The senator rocked back in his chair, momentarily lost in thought. “My admiration and thanks to you and your people. Tell me about your trip?”

Matt recounted the trip, leaving out the technology specifics.

“I know this is hard to understand,” the senator closed his eyes and let out a breath, “but so many times I find myself trapped in the game of politics. Here in DC, it seems you have to compromise your soul to accomplish anything worthwhile. If the legislation does not add dollars to your State and does not put money in your supporters’ hands, then it becomes a battle to accomplish anything simply because it’s for the right reason.

A sad expression filled Senator Coldwell’s face, “This is particularly true when dealing with foreign affairs.”

Matt could see sadness emerge on Coldwell’s face.

“It seems,” the senator said, “over the years we have formulated a policy of being Santa Claus to our friends, Scrooge to those whom we don’t like, and the unfortunate and helpless simply get ignored as if they have no worth. It is the most frustrating part of being in government, and as you have found out,” Saulman paused, “our Government doesn’t always play by its own rules.”

Matt listened closely to the senator, not so much to the words as to the heart behind them. He believed his intuition had been right about the man and that Matt’s thoughts about today’s conversation were all the more appropriate.

“Senator,” Matt said, “I sense your frustration, and I sincerely appreciate the difficulties you are facing. That is why I wanted to talk with you. I need your experience and guidance to help me make some very critical decisions.”

“I hope I can be a help,” Senator Coldwell said, “so let’s get started.”

“Well, senator,” Matt began, “I have a concern regarding rights.”

“What kind of rights?” the senator responded.

“Senator,” Matt chose his words carefully, “as you know, my companies are constantly creating technology, and some of what we discover is very unique. What my concern centers around is my rights to control where and how that technology is used.”

“Give me an example I can relate to,” Saulman asked.

Matt noted the insight of the senator’s question. The senator was a very sharp man.

“Let’s say the neuroimager that was used to help your son could also be used as an interrogation tool that you could probe minds and reveal thoughts, past and present. If, as the developer, I wish for it to never be used that way, believing it to be an invasion of privacy and more so a risk that random context thoughts could be used against an individual, do I have the right to limit and refuse to allow the use of this device, even to the government?”

Matt gazed at the senator. “I think you will agree that we all have had private thoughts that did not really reflect who we were or what we really believed.”

“I see your dilemma,” the senator said. “You certainly picked a paradox with this. I can see arguments on your side, and I can hear the CIA, FBI, and law enforcement touting it as a tool that would help them capture and eliminate criminals and terrorists.”

“That’s the point,” Matt answered, “The root question is, do I have the right to control the use of technology I create?”

The senator thought for a bit and finally said. “Matthew, the fact is that the courts can provide protection, but that is usually after the fact. If the government wanted to seize a technology in the name of national interest, it would do so and then force the owner to fight to regain his rights. I don’t think this is right and would like to see it changed, but that is the fact.”

Matt was a bit surprised that the senator’s answer was specifically what he was looking for.

“Senator,” Matt said, “If you feel this practice is wrong, why not try to change it?”

The senator paused, “There are several reasons. I think strong resistance, mostly from inside various departments, is a major obstacle. Each area has its domain, and they like to have absolute control in their realms. I see so many times when control freaks take over and try to create their own rules. Much of our time as senators is spent trying to keep departments in bounds, as with the episode in Wichita.”

“So, you see the real issue as being the government and not the private sector?” Matt questioned.

“That is correct,” the senator responded.

Matt thought a moment, “What if you had overwhelming input from private industry demanding that their creative rights be protected? I mean, the record and movie industries have it. Pharmaceuticals seem to be exempt from the seizure of discoveries. It seems to me that getting universal industry support would be easy. I believe that most of the campaign contributions and election funding are still from industry and their respective lobbies.”

The senator’s wheels were turning; Matt could see him formulating a strategy.

“Damn it, Matthew! This is brilliant. You are exactly right; industry would love formal federal protection on this matter. It would also put some of those administrative jerks in their place. What do you think needs to be done?”

“I think the fact that we see this the same way,” Matt smiled, “is a good starting place. How would you feel about talking with some lawmakers, and let me start inquiring with business contacts?”

“I think that is a great start,” Senator Coldwell laughed, “and I know just the people that would be sympathetic. I will also get you a copy of the registered lobbyists and past contributors. Welcome to the world of politics, Mr. Lehman.

Matt had one more thing. It was the real reason for coming and could potentially destroy everything.

“Senator,” he said, “I have something else to share with you, and I need to know that, as in the past, you will keep this totally confidential.”

The senator hesitated to respond. “Mr. Lehman, you have never misrepresented yourself to me, and I believe that you would never put me in a situation that would cause me compromise, so if that is true of this, then I make my pledge that all is in confidence.”

Matt stood and slipped a black plastic block out of his inside suit coat pocket. It was about 1.5 inches by 3 inches by 4 inches. He set it on the senator’s desk and asked him to examine it.

The senator said, “Okay, looks kind of ordinary, right down to the standard electrical outlet in the end? What is it?”

Matt spotted a table lamp close by, unplugged it, and brought it back to the desk.

“Go ahead, Senator, plug it in.”

A baffled expression covered the senator’s face, but he plugged the lamp in. Matt reached up and switched on the lamp.

Senator Coldwell was silent for a second. “Is it a battery of some kind?”

“You might consider it the ultimate battery. Senator, this is an inexhaustible power supply. This particular unit could power every device in this office forever.”

Senator Coldwell collapsed into his chair. The expression on his face was a strange combination of amazement and disbelief.

Matt stood and stared directly into his eyes, “Senator, I need your undivided attention.”

The senator gazed up into Matt’s face.

“We have developed this and several other advanced technologies that would have your head spinning, but this is the important part.”

Matt spoke aloud and directly into the senator’s mind.

“We will destroy it all and die before allowing even one incident of it being used to harm any living person. There is much potential for good, but equally much potential for harm.

“Absolutely, no military applications, no uses that create a power position over others. If it is not intended to directly improve the lives of all humanity, the application will not be allowed. Is this clear?”

***

The lamp continued to burn brightly. The senator slowly came to grips with what he witnessed, along with the mysterious voice in his head.

He gazed at Matt, “This is for real? You really have this?”

“Senator Coldwell,” Matt’s stare was intense, “I trust you and believe that you are a man who truly cares about people more than power, fame, and fortune.”

Saulman gulped, his eyes flicked from the block to the lamp, to Matt, and repeated the cycle.

“Do you truly want to change the world for the better and end the need for guns, tanks, and missiles?” Matt asked.

Once more, Saulman heard the words both in his ears and inside his head. He shook his head to clear his mind.

“It is now possible to build a world based on prosperity and peace,” Matt said.

The senator slumped deeper in his chair, stunned, confronted with a challenge that reached his soul.

He had gotten into politics to help people. He had become savvy at how to remain a Senator and had compromised his beliefs to stay in power so he could help when opportunities presented themselves.

This was drastically different. This was about more than the USA. This was potential world change.

He thought about his wife and family. He thought about the letters he got from parents, wives, and brothers of men who had died in conflicts. It angered him that many times those conflicts could have been avoided.

Guilt mounted for not being stronger and committed to something that truly mattered.

That was the whole point of this, wasn’t it? Could he be as committed as these men who would destroy this wondrous technology and die before allowing its use for evil?

He stared at the lamp. Matthew had not said evil, but far too many times, Salman had seen that snake crawling the halls of government.

In his heart, the senator knew what was right, and what he needed was the courage to take a stand.

“Senator,” Matt said softly,

Salman broke his trance and gazed up.

“You will answer to your children, and your children’s children, for thousands of years, as we all will. When will we begin, if not now?”

In the senator’s mind, it crystallized. The truth and the power of the message pierced his soul.

“Matthew,” he rose from his chair, “I have been a coward in settling for what I could do rather than what I should do. It is time that I become what I should have been for all these years. I want to make a difference. I realize the risk and dangers, and I will willingly admit that I am afraid, but despite my fear, I know this is right.”

***

Matt reached out and shook his hand, “I felt that this was who you always were. You just needed reminding.”

Matt smiled, his eyes bright. “Saturday, March 17th, at a house in Wichita, we are having a meeting to talk about how to make this technology available to the world in a way that honors our beliefs. I would like you and your family to attend.”

Matt perceived the moment Saulman realized he was not on the outside looking in. He was invited to participate and had the chance to be actively involved.

“Matthew,” Coldwell said, “I am again honored by your trust and faith. I will be there, and my family as well.”

“We still need the law protecting creative rights,” Matt said.

Matt unplugged the lamp, and it went dark instantly.

The senator asked if he could see the power unit again.

Matt handed it to him, placed the lamp on the table, and plugged it into the wall socket.

Matt walked back to the senator, “It is not radioactive, it does not pollute, and it does last forever unless we turn it off.”

The senator handed it back to him, “You have changed my life, and I look forward to your meeting.”

***

Matt left, taking a cab back to the airport. He was on a flight by seven and home in bed with Ling by midnight, sharing everything with her.