The Big Blue Sky: Twenty-five

The mood in the White House Press Briefing Room was explosive. This late at night the bleary-eyed reporters, many of whom had already put in a thirteen hour day, squinted against the harsh lights of the windowless room. It was unprecedented that the President would call a Press conference so late. But as developments from the Gulf leaked out steadily there was little doubt as to the subject. Cable news channels picked it up live just after eleven thirty on the east Coast. CBS interrupted David Letterman’s monologue, his usual retinue of devoted fans suddenly staring at an empty presidential podium , a jumble of news cameras and unidentified heads moving back and forth and in and out of focus, as if it was some confused game of musical chairs. They were still milling about and chattering when the president strode unannounced across the plain stage and went directly to the podium without any announcement.

“Just over eight hours ago,” the President began, the reporters caught off guard and quickly scrambling to their seats and camera spots. The President’s expression was as weighted and severe as the moment. At the back of the room the CNN reporter kept talking, some inane nonsense about the rarity of a late night Presidential announcement and missed the first few moments of the speech before being poked in the thigh by a BBC journalist.

“Just over eight hours ago a distress signal was intercepted by one of our ships. That signal contained encrypted information that led Naval personnel to believe they were in fact dealing with a downed American aircraft inside Iran.”

A wave of shock swept through the room, a mixture of gasps and murmurs.


There were heated discussions between the President and his staff prior to calling Press Conference. There were those who thought that the administration should remain quiet and see what hand the Iranians and the republicans would play on this issue. Others believed he should be strong and unwavering, giving the Iranians what amounted to an ultimatum. The opinions were varied and loud, but it was the President’s that won in the end.

The Press and opposition would get the news soon enough and spin or misconstrue the situation to, what he believed would be, a dangerous degree. Moreover the Iranians were awakening and surely would have their own spin on the situation, and would have nearly a day’s lead on the story in Asia and Europe. In the President’s opinion the situation depended upon who got out first and loudest, and he wasn’t about to be second best here. He continued.

“Subsequent information corroborated that conclusion and a decision was made to send in a rescue team. All indications are that Iranian forces ambushed that rescue mission with significant loss of American life.”

The room fell silent. ABC and NBC broke into regular programming a moment later.

“I have subsequently placed all our forces throughout the region on the highest alert. Details remain sketchy, but there have been survivors and they are currently in Iranian custody…”

“Are you considering military action?” someone yelled.

“I can tell you that all options are on the table,” said the President.

“Are any military operations under way?” cried another reporter, a woman from MSNBC.

The President Ignored the question. “We expect the Iranian authorities will adhere to the International rule of law, especially in light that this was in fact a rescue mission, and not a military incursion. We have already made that clear through diplomatic channels directly to the Iranian government…”

“Have you spoken with President Ahmadinejad?”

“We are already using all means at our disposal for the safe and immediate return of our personnel. The full power of the United States military and the Federal government has been mobilized to bring a speedy resolution to this manner, and return our people safely to their families. Thank you.

The room erupted into an uproar as a deafening crescendo of questions chased the President as he strode quickly from the podium.

“Is the US and Iran currently in a state of war?” shouted the man from FOX.

“What about the downed pilot?” asked reporter from the Washington Post. But without acknowledging a single person the President left the stage and was instantly engulfed and ushered away by a phalanx of aides and Secret Service.