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The Hidden Assassinsby: Robert Wilson |
Midasby Russell AndrewsRussell Andrews is a very vocal powerhouse, and even though he accomplishes his goals through fiction, the impact most certainly has the desired effect on anyone capable of seeing the underlying message beyond the story. Sadly enough, most readers won't realize what Mr. Andrews (aka Peter Gethers) is telling us. Midas is a tale with an all-too-realistic basis. And gullible Americans re-elected the present administration on the same precepts, without bothering to take into consideration that those remaining in power were the very ones responsible for causing our problems in the first place. I can already hear the disgruntled cries against my supposed lack of patriotism, but it's that same patriotism I'm upholding, despite the lack of intelligent reasoning in the American majority.In Midas, Russell Andrews continues his series with Justin Westwood as the hero, and continues to display the darker sides of politics and governmental institutions. I was never a fan of either the CIA, FBI, or politics in general. When you're willing to look into their dealings without trust, you'll find most politicians lie easily and just as easily make promises they never intend to keep – all in order to manipulate power and cash. Mr. Andrews is adept at creating fictional stories so close to the truth one wonders why the government hasn't already silenced him permanently; unless, of course, they know that the majority of American people see his stories as simply entertaining. Midas begins with a Prologue. America's fictional President Anderson and Vice President Dandridge have announced that eight million acres in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve is now a national monument – and thus off limits to oil companies lobbying for its use. The environmentalists are cautiously ecstatic, realizing that political machinations may be behind the announcement – especially considering the fact that Vice President Dandridge will be bidding for the Presidency in the upcoming election. An Arab walks up to the table in a restaurant he's been told to go to – a table where important men are already eating. He's carrying a briefcase which he sets down by the table. And although he's been told to leave and immediately phone his superiors, the phone rings before he's gone – and sets off the bomb in the briefcase. Justin Westwood, a Long Island cop, is attending the funeral of his police chief, Jimmy Leggett, who was at the restaurant when the bomb went off. Justin is interrupted in the middle of his eulogy by his own cell phone ringing. Apologizing to the others attending Jimmy's funeral, Justin is called to an emergency where a small plane crashed during takeoff. This is followed by more restaurant bombings, and the message is clear – Americans are no longer safe from Middle Eastern terrorists. President Anderson and Vice President Dandridge proclaim they'll do everything in their considerable power to find and punish those responsible. The polls indicate their ratings are instantly increasing – the result of American fear and distrust of change in the face of that fear. The FBI has taken over all cases, and Justin, now promoted to Chief of Police, is warned off. But he discovers the pilot who flew the crashed plane had been flying high government officials to and from various locations – and that in every restaurant bombing the bombs went off near important individuals who were investigating the terrorists. In addition, the government has instigated what they call the Triumph Of Freedom Act – which allows them to withhold all normal rights from anyone suspected of terrorism. Unfortunately, the Act sends a good many innocent Arab Americans into confinement – and eventually Justin himself. Midas contains a good many surprises, not the least of which is how Justin is released from torture and imprisonment in the predominantly Arab camp at Guantanamo Bay, where he's constantly questioned about his knowledge of the bombings, the plane crash, and Midas. More surprises occur when the whole truth emerges – the reasons for the bombings and who was actually involved. Midas is much more than a riveting story. Under cover of fiction, Russell Andrews' books are a plea for all Americans to realize the very real corruption which has increasingly developed in our own government, and the possible results of that corruption. Mr. Andrews is a very astute man in addition to being an excellent writer. Midas touches the untouchable and reveals the greed hidden under the cloak of purity. Besides all that, Midas is a spellbinding read! Alan Paul Curtis |
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