Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: DEFENSE (06/02/22)
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TITLE: Ancient Weapon | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gerald Shuler
06/07/22 -
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“Are we going to run this, Mike?”
Mike Hearstberger handed the release back. “I'd be afraid to even give this one a headline.” He shook his head thoughtfully. “What would we say? 'ANCIENT WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION UNLEASHED ON WORLD'? This thing is a thousand times worse than Covid. Can you imagine the panic?”
“You know this is bound to be released sooner or later by someone. It's news. The world should know about the dangers of this weapon.”
“Without knowing what defense we have against the weapon's potential power? Have you heard anything about that? Is there some high level plan for defense?”
John wanted so desperately to say something hopeful but hope didn't seem like an option any more. He saw the soon coming end of the world and hope no longer seemed to exist. Unless...
“Mike, I learned something years ago that might help. It sounds like over-the-edge folk lore but it might have some baring on this weapon report.”
“I'll listen to any possible angle you know that can make this news printable. The weapon is already in operation so you know we have to do the story... some how... and soon. Give me your suggestion.” Mike sat down to listen, a rare thing for him to do in an employee's office. The boss had become a broken man over this news.”
“Alright, then.” John took a deep breath. “The Bible talks about...”
“Get real, man.” Mike was on his feet again, in full editor stance. “Don't go religious on me. I need to hear something we can report as a possible defense.”
“Bare with me, Mike. What do you really know about this weapon?”
“I have heard that it spreads like a disease and grows more destructive with each contact with human life. Nobody knows who released it originally, but it is beyond stopping now. I have heard...”
“Just a second, Mike. That is twice you said you have heard about this. Don't you see what is happening?”
The emptiness in Mike's eyes told it all. Mike was void of understanding, so John continued.
“The Bible talks about a deadly poison that spreads like wildfire. Mike, all the evil destruction that has resulted from this so called 'weapon' has evolved from what someone, somewhere has said. The weapon the Bible warns about is the tongue. What we say with our mouth. Mike, we are news reporters who make a career of reporting what we have heard. We report mostly bad news because that is what the public feeds on.” John paused to watch for a response from Mike. His eyes still stared blankly, so John decided to lay it out in full. “Mike, WE are the weapon of mass destruction. The news media. Radio. Television. Newspapers. We report what we are told to report by people who are masters at the use of the tongue as a weapon... power hungry politicians.”
It was like a light came on in Mike's eyes. Politicians had always manipulated the world and then covered their failures with convincing lies. But it had gone too far now. Gas prices, baby food shortages, national debt, none of these mounting evils could be explained away. So they created a lie that would scare the stoutest of doubters into compliance. They told the news about a mysterious weapon that had been used so people would cower and come to the government for solutions. Well, it was time to start building a line of defense.
“I see it now, John.” Mike leaned over John's desk. “Here is our next headline: WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION FOUND POWERLESS” Mike smiled. “Then we subtitle with 'TRUTH WILL SET US FREE.” Mike's smile broadened. “John, let's start using our tongues as a defensive weapon... a weapon of truth.”
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Creative. Skillfully written. Thoughtful. Relevant.
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