4 Mile Creek: 4 Mile Creek Interviews Stephen King

I recieved an email yesterday from Move.On.org yesterday, featuring a message from Stephen King. I am a big fan of Stephen King, and enjoy reading his novels, especially since they tend to focus geographically on areas that I am very familiar with; the New England states and the Rocky Mountains states. I asked his agent if I could interview him, and he said that Stephen would be quite happy to be interviewed by a soldier currently in Baghdad. The following interview was conducted over the phone:

4MC: First off, I want to tell you that I have enjoyed all of your books that I’ve read. Salem's Lot is the only vampire story I've ever read that scared me.
SK: Thank you. How are things in Baghdad?
4MC: Um...okay, really. Thanks for asking. The reason I’ve asked to talk with you today is because of this email I received from you, via MoveOn.org. In it, you say that you know scary, and that you are terrified of the current President and Congress. What exactly about them is terrifying you?
SK: Well, there is the illegal war in Iraq, the loss of freedoms here at home, the neocon cabal. It’s all quite terrifying.
4MC: Okay, let’s hit each one of those points and get to the root of your terror. About the illegal war in Iraq, what makes you the most scared?
SK: Well, I’d say that the President’s abuse of his power, taking the country to war simply on his own whim.
4MC: In October of 2002, Congress specifically stated, in Section 3 of the Joint Resolution to Authorize the use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq, that, quote, The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to (1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and (2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. Unquote. The congressional resolution lists those UNSC resolutions that Iraq had violated as resoluions 678, 660, 661, 662, 664, 665, 666, 667, 669, 670, 674, and 677. What part of the current war in Iraq appears to you to be taken up by the President on a whim?
SK: Well, those resolutions…how many did you say there were?
4MC: I quoted 12 UN Security Council resolutions, but also there is the Congressional resolution, so that’s 13 resolutions altogether.
SK: Okay, thirteen then. Heh, unlucky 13, eh? Where was I? Oh yes, those thirteen resolutions authorized force against Iraq, but I’m guessing that none of those resolutions authorized the US to stay in Iraq and become an occupying force. That’s got to be illegal, and I am sure that it is only because the President, and Rumsfeld, screwed things up so badly that we are still there, over three years later.
4MC: Would you be surprised to find out that in a letter dated June 9th of this year, Iraq’s Foreign Minister, Hoshiyar Zebari, formally asked the UN Security Council to extend the Coalition Force’s mandate to stay in Iraq? That by staying in Iraq, the Coalition forces are actually carrying out a mandate of the UN and the wishes of the democratically elected government of Iraq?
SK: Um, yes, actually, that would surprise me.
4MC: Surprise! But let’s move on to the other terrifying aspects to the President and Congress. You mentioned the “loss of freedoms” here in the US. What freedoms have been lost? Excuse the leading question, but perhaps you are referring to the new restrictions signed into law by the President limiting the length of fictional novels to no more than 52 pages, because after that he loses interest?
SK: What! That’s ridiculous! I hadn’t heard that at all! When did that pass?
4MC: Just kidding! No really, what freedoms have you lost?
SK: Well, not me per se. There are, however, forces out there, directed by the Republicans, that are placing a fear in the hearts of many reporters and writers. A kind of fascist atmosphere that keeps them from expressing what they want, when they want.
4MC: Are you able to cite any specifics? Given that your novels and short stories are almost all based on the idea that fear is internal, something more in the mind than in the air, isn’t it a little bit disingenuous to say that writers and reporters are not able to express themselves in ways that they want, simply because of the "atmosphere" created by Republicans? Your email to me was pretty critical of the President and Congress; do you think you will face government reprisals because of it?
SK: Well, no, of course not. But if one single writer or reporter is silenced, the world is a poorer place.
4MC: But who is silencing the writers? If one writer or reporter is silenced because of fear, and not actual laws, wouldn’t that be more like self-censorship?
SK: Self-censorship is still censorship.
4MC: Okay. So what would you say is the difference between self-censorship and cowardice?
SK: This interview is over. (click)