“Doomsday! Another Dinosaur Attack!” FB Post 2020 11 02
So read the headline of the daily news sheet from The Medianite Herald, Printer of All the News Worth Reporting.
Indeed, the last several editions had been mostly filled with news – or rumors – of the presence of dinosaurs roaming the kingdom in search of prey.
It had all begun on one of the largest farms, with acres of crops adjoined by acres of various kinds of livestock. The remains of a demolished section of fencing and what was left of three sheep had been discovered on the morning rounds.
Cattle, sheep, or pigs were crammed into their respective fenced paddocks on the CAFO estate known as High Gates. Each paddock had long since lost the ability to grow even a weed, and insects or other life in the soil had moved to greener pastures. The only insects were those alighting on the refuse or on the animals.
(Actually, there were no “greener pastures” except in the smaller land holdings because the High Gates Industrial Farm had turned the bulk of the kingdom’s land into soy and oil producing GMO corn fields. These were sprayed until the insecticide and herbicide ran into the rivers.)
The day following the attack, The Medianite paper was graphic in detail. “The carnage left behind after the voracious appetite of the predator(s) had been satisfied struck fear into this hitherto fearless reporter. The beast must have been HUGE” (such had been the paper’s description). The destruction of the fencing was used to support the proposition of a dinosaur (although the wooden railings looked suspiciously rotten).
Subsequent issues of the paper reported possible sightings of “a huge scaly creature,” usually seen only at a distance and in the twilight or first early morning light. Pictures were fuzzy and could have been anything, but the evidence was in the bloody remains and broken fence railings of the first report.
Evidence of two lesser attacks had appeared eventually, both with bloody remains (one of sheep, the other of calves), and brush and trees lay broken in the area (some crackpots spreading disinformation claimed that had been the path of a tornado).
Strangely, the second and third attacks had been quite distant from the first, leaving one to wonder how the beast(s) could have moved such a distance without observation, but no one seemed to notice. The news was too terrifying to be questioned!
And revenue for The Medianite Herald soared!
Then came a headline that touched the hearts of all, “Dinosaur Devours Dusty.” Dusty was the name of the pet goat of a small rancher. Cute pictures of the frolicking kid gave emotion to the story.
An editorial in the next paper was a stronger demand that the king take action to protect the citizens of the kingdom. The strident tone of the editor’s words must have pained and angered the king like lashes from a whip. Indeed, The Medianite Herald had been a strong opponent to the king since his coronation.
Further fanning the flames of fear were the incendiary remarks of the veterinarians and various private interests such as the Dignity for Sheep Brigade and the Citizens Concerned for Cattle, small but vocal groups that seemed to come out of NoWhere.
The TownCrier’s Association of Medianites had also been very vocal. On a typical morning you might hear something like, “King flummoxed as Dinosaurs rule!” Or perhaps, “High Gates to save All World when All World submits to Him.”
There was a demand that all of the herd animals – even chickens – be congregated under the wing of the High Gates Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the world.
The High Gates Foundation had one goal: Eliminate poverty and the dinosaur threat. Okay, maybe that is really two goals, but how admirable!
By putting all of the resources of the kingdom in one place, a small army of High Gatesmen could protect the resources of the town.
Those who gave up their livestock would be free to come and care for their animals as they had before. In return, all of the benefits from the combined herds, flocks, coveys, gaggles, etc. would be distributed equally among ALL of the kingdom’s citizens.
Yes, hunger and poverty would be abolished!
How cool is that, kids!
And the big, mean dinosaurs would be scared away by the Formidable Forces of the Freed Men (and women) who no longer had to work at their own farms or care for their own property as they were amassed in the huge barracks of the newly expanded High Gates High Rise Estate.
The Medianites and TownCriers had field days with the Good News, over and over exclaiming the magnificence of the High Gates’ Plans and Preparations for Perfection to be implemented over the coming years.
“Dinosaurs Doomed,” “Humanity Triumphs,” and “High Praise for High Gates” were among the following days’ headlines as the story unfolded.
“High Gates Rescues Resources as Frightened Citizenry Flock to Fold with Sheep,” and “High Gatesmen Enforce Herd Mentality on Citizens to Eliminate Strays,” were some of the TownCriers’ sing song chants.
A citizenry fearful of dinosaur attacks eagerly enlisted in the High Gates crusade to eliminate dissenters who favored dinosaurs. No one was ever caught actually favoring dinosaurs, but those who were slow to give up their herds and flocks were treated as traitors. Those not compliant were subjected to shaming, then forced to wear masks, followed by fining, then a stint in prison, and in the toughest cases, elimination by the High Gatesmen.
The Common Good requires some sacrifices….
But all ends happily in the kingdom as the king’s power is unofficially transferred to the Gatesman, and all the serfs live happily ever after in the High Gates High Rise High Hopes Clouds, unable to see a dinosaur even if it really existed.
Addendum: Although there were reports of dinosaurs to keep everyone aware of the dangers of living outside the protective custody of the High Gates High Rise, no one ever photographed one. The only pictures were of the remains of wild deer or boar. A few of those pictures seemed to show evidence of wild dogs or wolves, but they are terrifying, too, right?
Next Chronicle
So read the headline of the daily news sheet from The Medianite Herald, Printer of All the News Worth Reporting.
Indeed, the last several editions had been mostly filled with news – or rumors – of the presence of dinosaurs roaming the kingdom in search of prey.
It had all begun on one of the largest farms, with acres of crops adjoined by acres of various kinds of livestock. The remains of a demolished section of fencing and what was left of three sheep had been discovered on the morning rounds.
Cattle, sheep, or pigs were crammed into their respective fenced paddocks on the CAFO estate known as High Gates. Each paddock had long since lost the ability to grow even a weed, and insects or other life in the soil had moved to greener pastures. The only insects were those alighting on the refuse or on the animals.
(Actually, there were no “greener pastures” except in the smaller land holdings because the High Gates Industrial Farm had turned the bulk of the kingdom’s land into soy and oil producing GMO corn fields. These were sprayed until the insecticide and herbicide ran into the rivers.)
The day following the attack, The Medianite paper was graphic in detail. “The carnage left behind after the voracious appetite of the predator(s) had been satisfied struck fear into this hitherto fearless reporter. The beast must have been HUGE” (such had been the paper’s description). The destruction of the fencing was used to support the proposition of a dinosaur (although the wooden railings looked suspiciously rotten).
Subsequent issues of the paper reported possible sightings of “a huge scaly creature,” usually seen only at a distance and in the twilight or first early morning light. Pictures were fuzzy and could have been anything, but the evidence was in the bloody remains and broken fence railings of the first report.
Evidence of two lesser attacks had appeared eventually, both with bloody remains (one of sheep, the other of calves), and brush and trees lay broken in the area (some crackpots spreading disinformation claimed that had been the path of a tornado).
Strangely, the second and third attacks had been quite distant from the first, leaving one to wonder how the beast(s) could have moved such a distance without observation, but no one seemed to notice. The news was too terrifying to be questioned!
And revenue for The Medianite Herald soared!
Then came a headline that touched the hearts of all, “Dinosaur Devours Dusty.” Dusty was the name of the pet goat of a small rancher. Cute pictures of the frolicking kid gave emotion to the story.
An editorial in the next paper was a stronger demand that the king take action to protect the citizens of the kingdom. The strident tone of the editor’s words must have pained and angered the king like lashes from a whip. Indeed, The Medianite Herald had been a strong opponent to the king since his coronation.
Further fanning the flames of fear were the incendiary remarks of the veterinarians and various private interests such as the Dignity for Sheep Brigade and the Citizens Concerned for Cattle, small but vocal groups that seemed to come out of NoWhere.
The TownCrier’s Association of Medianites had also been very vocal. On a typical morning you might hear something like, “King flummoxed as Dinosaurs rule!” Or perhaps, “High Gates to save All World when All World submits to Him.”
There was a demand that all of the herd animals – even chickens – be congregated under the wing of the High Gates Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the world.
The High Gates Foundation had one goal: Eliminate poverty and the dinosaur threat. Okay, maybe that is really two goals, but how admirable!
By putting all of the resources of the kingdom in one place, a small army of High Gatesmen could protect the resources of the town.
Those who gave up their livestock would be free to come and care for their animals as they had before. In return, all of the benefits from the combined herds, flocks, coveys, gaggles, etc. would be distributed equally among ALL of the kingdom’s citizens.
Yes, hunger and poverty would be abolished!
How cool is that, kids!
And the big, mean dinosaurs would be scared away by the Formidable Forces of the Freed Men (and women) who no longer had to work at their own farms or care for their own property as they were amassed in the huge barracks of the newly expanded High Gates High Rise Estate.
The Medianites and TownCriers had field days with the Good News, over and over exclaiming the magnificence of the High Gates’ Plans and Preparations for Perfection to be implemented over the coming years.
“Dinosaurs Doomed,” “Humanity Triumphs,” and “High Praise for High Gates” were among the following days’ headlines as the story unfolded.
“High Gates Rescues Resources as Frightened Citizenry Flock to Fold with Sheep,” and “High Gatesmen Enforce Herd Mentality on Citizens to Eliminate Strays,” were some of the TownCriers’ sing song chants.
A citizenry fearful of dinosaur attacks eagerly enlisted in the High Gates crusade to eliminate dissenters who favored dinosaurs. No one was ever caught actually favoring dinosaurs, but those who were slow to give up their herds and flocks were treated as traitors. Those not compliant were subjected to shaming, then forced to wear masks, followed by fining, then a stint in prison, and in the toughest cases, elimination by the High Gatesmen.
The Common Good requires some sacrifices….
But all ends happily in the kingdom as the king’s power is unofficially transferred to the Gatesman, and all the serfs live happily ever after in the High Gates High Rise High Hopes Clouds, unable to see a dinosaur even if it really existed.
Addendum: Although there were reports of dinosaurs to keep everyone aware of the dangers of living outside the protective custody of the High Gates High Rise, no one ever photographed one. The only pictures were of the remains of wild deer or boar. A few of those pictures seemed to show evidence of wild dogs or wolves, but they are terrifying, too, right?
Next Chronicle
