Rabbi Gabrielle's Defiance Read Online Free PDF Page B

reasons, we can fill it instantly. We maintain a digital library
for each of our clients. We don't have to go on location to film a
sequence. We just identify a station and, in seconds, send the
segment anywhere, almost directly onto television screens. And we
go one step further by sharing our database with the media. By
means of our proprietary encryption, we let radio and TV stations
pull from our servers at their convenience, filling lost advertising spots. Of course, often we
get dog positions in the wee hours of the night. But more than
occasionally, our political spots show up at prime time with
maximum exposure and our candidates pay nearly nothing for
this."
    Murmurs of satisfaction emanated in the
ballroom.
    A new set of images filled sectors of the
overhead screens, one of a middle school classroom where pupils
were operating computers. "We've just launched our national
education program by providing material for civics teachers in 213
schools. By linking with Politicstoday ,
students can, absolutely free of charge, study local candidates and
– if the candidates subscribe to Politicstoday – open direct, real time communication.
The site links to historical information about the issues at hand.
When learning about slavery, for example, we have Anthony Hopkins
reciting John Quincy Adam's famous speech before the Supreme Court
in 1834. On the judicial side, we have introduced links to major
court decisions and the famous cases from which these decisions
arose, such as Brown versus the Board of Education and Roe versus
Wade. Each link comes with video and background text. So far the
response from civics teachers has been fabulous. In election-crazy
Oregon, we were surprised that the kids went home and got their
parents hooked on our web site."
    A dialogue appeared on Kye's screen between
seventh grade students in Alabama and the newly elected Reginald
Meredith about federal anti-discrimination laws. A link suddenly
left the two-way discussion and provided a list of historic
legislation dealing with school integration, then a video of
Senator Esterbrook barring the doors to Central High School in
Jackson, Mississippi.
    "We're now experimenting with online town
meetings," Kye flipped to a pilot program in Maine. "Many of the
techniques used to integrate two-way interaction between citizen
and government are still untested. It's not inconceivable that we
will have interactive political meetings from people's homes, a
two-way modification of the old one-way Fireside Chats that
President Roosevelt used so effectively during the war years."
    Kye Naah's self-assurance intrigued Gabby.
She glanced around the tables to observe his skill at holding
attention. For the time being, there was no further protest.
    "Technology is a weapon of war," he stated in
a flat, authoritative voice. "It is no longer necessary for nations
to summon armies on the battlefield. Today, the rifleman is as much
a footnote of history as a knight in armor or the US Calvary
galloping across the plains to rescue a beleaguered wagon train.
Likewise, if politics is war, then the Democratic Party must fight
like a modern gladiator, not a twentieth Century pugilist. For the
party to win elections, it must be at the cutting edge of the
technological revolution, not trailing behind the Republicans who,
I can tell you from firsthand experience, are gearing up to capture
the Information Highway. I doubt there's a single person at this
lunch who wants to be left behind. But for every one with good
intentions, there were ten foot-draggers. You either lead with
technology or get buried by it."
    Kye left his mike behind at the lectern and
sidestepped across the platform leaving an enlarged silhouette of
himself on the screen. A menacing teacup remained as backdrop. "The
ability to transfer text, voice, and video will make obsolete much
of your current campaigning. Who wants to be a fossil?"
    That thought produced considerable mumbling.
A spoon struck a cup, but was