[HUAC] Presidential Probe

[Smyg]

Abraham Shinoda

Congressmen, my fellow HUAC members. There is a new President of the Mountain States of America. Regardless of who we are - Socialist, Progressive or Republican - I think we can all agree that Mr. Stone has an impeccable reputation. The son of a slain war hero, excellent grades, fine naval service - and an honorable discharge at that - and, above all, he has been a crusader against corruption within the ranks of the federal administration.

I, for one, fully trust the President.

Still, there are questions that I feel should be answered. As they should be answered for any man - or woman, I suppose - that stands for and is subsequently elected to the finest office in this last sliver of a free, democratic world. No single person, not even the likes of Charles E. Stone, is above suspicion. If we are to remain such a last sliver, or even expand the sliver into a bigger slice of the earthly pie, we need to launch a full investigation into certain parts of the President's past. Specifically, he spent the period 1967 to 1972 in France as a diplomat.

Fascist France.

Once a forlorn imperial remnant, Paris has risen again under aegis of the Führer's new friendship. An international power of some degree, and certainly host to near the whole of Abwehr. Of course, I am not implying that the President is a Nazi agent, or what not, far from it. But I feel there is a need to ensure that both the elected representatives of the American people and the people itself can rest easy, fully assured that their head of state has no unfortunate smudge of French tar on his otherwise clean dress shirt, even if those stains completely unknown to him and near invisible. There is, of course, also the issue of his - distant yet still extant - German ancestry to keep in mind.

Remember this: I, above everyone in this Committee, know the importance of close supervision to ensure loyalty. After all, I spent my whole childhood in those camps. And I do not regret it one bit. It was a sad but necessary procedure. We were proud American citizens, but this fine republic of ours could not possibly know that without ensuring it to be true.

Ladies. Gentlemen. Fellow Americans. I suggest I motion that...

• Noting the duty HUAC carries towards the people of the MSA to ensure the absolute sanctity of the Presidential office.
• Remembering those lost in the war, and the danger that still remains, threatening the repetition of such a conflict.
• Expressing full respect towards Mr. President Charles E. Stone and his family.

... the House Committee on Un-American Activities begins an investigation, to the furthest possible extent, into the President's diplomatic tenure in Paris from 1967 to 1972, while also maintaining discretion in regards to his personal life.


Motioned by the following HUAC member for the voting of the full committee and Chair Robert S Ellis:

Abraham Shinoda

[Gesar]

While the purpose of the Committee is indeed to investigate threats to the American way of life, my esteemed friend's proposal goes above the jurisdiction granted to us by the House. There is simply no precedent for such an investigation, and as such, I abstain from voting.

Agreed. While the threat of fascism is all too real, I'm hesitant to allow this committee to grant itself the authority to investigate the highest office.

However, what we can and are, in fact, obligated to do, is pass on a recommendation to the House of Representatives to form a House Select Committee on Presidential Affairs. I abstain for this vote, and instead motion to pass the recommendation.

[OYID]

The Socialist Party firmly believes that, should the time come, it is important that this committee feel at freedom to investigate the highest office in the land. This does not, however, mean we must submit this committee to carry out such an investigation at this time, and would rather attention be diverted towards investigating the threats we have brought forward in other sessions and which do represent a clear and present danger to the American peoples' freedoms and ways of life

I vote against the probe and against passing the recommendation.

We also wish to remind the President and his associates that this is a serious House investigative committee, and not, in fact, a post-electoral public relations machine.

I, too, vote against the probe and against passing the recommendation and thus extending this nonsense any longer.

[Snacks]

As has been pointed out by my fellow committee members, while we are obligated to act on indication of a threat to this nation's sovereignty by any entity, the circumstances do not-as far as we have been made aware-indicate a reasonable expectation of any undue influence on President Stone. I am sure that Senator Shinoda's proposal is a produce of the best intentions. Nonetheless, to undertake such a probe threatens to undermine this committee by distracting from more credible threats at best, and cast the investigation as a mere laudatory exercise at worst.

As such, I vote against the probe. However, I second referring the matter to the House. While the purpose of this committee is to investigate threats to our national sovereignty, the risk of abuse is too great, in my opinion, to leave an investigation of the presidency in the hands of a nine-member committee.

[Coin]

I would imagine that both the Progressive Party and the security services closely monitored any of their members working abroad, and thus do not believe there is any reason for this to be brought forward unless some evidence would come to light on the matter.

I agree with Mr Warner and also Mrs Ortega in that it would set a dangerous precedent if we believe it proper to investigate anyone who has ever worked in Europe. Unless Mr Shinoda thinks it appropriate to share some new information with us, I shall vote against this lest every President have this to look forward to upon taking office.

[[2 votes against on both the investigation and referral to the House]]