Steve Rogers ✪ Nomad (captain_america) wrote in newalliance, @ 2013-04-21 01:01:00 |
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Entry tags: | [event] mhmra, arrowette, captain america, lex luthor, maria hill, pete wisdom, white queen, wonder woman |
Who: Steve Rogers and OPEN to reactions
Where: The steps of the United States Capitol Building. Washington, D.C. Also broadcast all over the news networks and internet.
When: April 20th, 2013
What: Steve gives a public speech and takes a position concerning the Mutant and Metahuman Registration Act
Rating: G
In costume, Steve stood before thousands gathered to hear him speak. Cameras were flashing even as he moved toward the podium, and as he moved into position upon the steps the roar of the crowd immediately became a dull whisper as he began to speak.
"Since the announcement of the Mutant and Metahuman Registration Act by President Luthor, there has been a lot of debate and even more controversy spread thick throughout our country. There are those in the superhuman community who opposed the Act, no sooner than the words of the announcement passed through the lips of the President. There are others, like the Fantastic Four, who have registered in an effort to be responsible and upstanding citizens. And they mean well.
Personally and at face value, the Act seems like a good thing. For our people, for our nation, and for our mutual safety. But when given due consideration, both to the Act and to the President who supports it, the real danger becomes apparent. And as with most things, it is not what is being said, but what is not being said that is the real threat.
You see, President Luthor speaks with grandiose language about this Act, and the good that it will do our nation. He preaches such ideas as mutants and metahumans not being above the law, and of having a true equality. And again, taken at face value, these sound like great and wonderful things.
That is, until you consider the real reach of this Act. When someone, for good or ill, uses whatever powers they may possess it is a choice. But what of the individual mutant or metahuman who does not use their powers? What of the mutant who stands apart from humanity not because of a particular power, but a mere physical difference? Should that individual have to give up the right to privacy in order to avoid arrest for looking different?
I should hope not, but that is exactly what this Act calls for.
And of the actual superhero? And more specifically, what of the mask? I believe that there is too often a misconception involving the secret identity of a hero."
At this point, Steve reached up to remove his cowl to reveal his face.
"My name is Steve Rogers, but you know best as Captain America. I have no family, and no loved ones to call my own. But if I did, I would be more much hesitant about revealing my face to you as I did just now. And that is the other glaring issue of this Act, for by it as it is written, it will put the family of the superhero in mortal danger by those who would get at the superhero through them.
When I met recently with the President, I voiced this as one of my chief concerns, to which I was told that the family would be 'protected', and that his concern was for everyone to be held equally accountable for their actions.
Equally. Accountable. For their actions." Here he paused, with purpose. Allowing his words to linger in the air a moment, to be certain that his unsaid message came across, before going on.
"I find this to be an intriguing concern of President Luthor, for though I cannot tell you the particulars of what he plans to do with those he arrests under this Act, or how exactly he intends supposedly protect the families of mutants and metahumans as he has failed to explain those things to myself or the American people, I can tell you this:
He has stolen technology and claimed it as his own, thus proving that he is not a man of integrity and honesty.
He has failed to reveal his true intentions for Mutant and Metahuman Registration Act, and may not until it is too late for those it would effect.
He has expected faith and confidence, when he has done nothing of merit to warrant such trust.
And he now stands ready to unleash the full force of this legislation upon an unsuspecting American public to the chorus of cheers.
In short then, the Act as it is written will do more harm than good, especially under the guidance and implementation of President Luthor, a man who cannot be trusted, and who has never been a friend to the superhuman community. To support him or this Act in any way, even as a compromise is not only irresponsible, but dangerous.
Some of you listening may be wondering how I can stand here and speak this way about my President while wearing the costume that I do, and to that I say this: America is nothing without its commitment to the freedom of all men-mutant, metahuman, or otherwise. Without that commitment, what I wear is merely a costume, and the shield on my back no more than an indestructible piece of metal. None of it becomes a symbol, until tempered by the devotion to the ideals that gave birth to our nation, but it is those very ideals that Luthor now threatens.
To his threat, I make this plea. To John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayer, and Elena Kagan. Our Supreme Court. Review and declare the Mutant and Metahuman Registration Act unconstitutional, as it well is. For by this action you can head off the storm that is even now on the horizon, threatening the liberty of us all."
When Steve took the mic from the podium and moved forward around it, the crowd parted before him.
"In the mean time, may mine be the first and most public face of opposition to the Mutant and Metahuman Registration Act. Defending our nation with my convictions, as well as my shield. And I would encourage all those who are listening, and all those who would follow my example, to remember this above all else: That our nation was founded upon one principle above all else. The requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. So if President Luthor, those who would support him, and those he would manipulate against us decide to move in, know that your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth to tell the world that you will not be robbed of your liberty, or your freedom. And know that in your cause I will be right there beside you."
As the assembled crowd stood in awed, rapt silence, one voice called out and caught Steve's attention as he began to fade into the masses. "Captain America, how can you say this? Aren't you loyal to the government? To the president?"
To that, Steve turned. Even if he had explained it already. He pulled back his cowl, focused on the female reporter who had asked, and said simply, "I am loyal to nothing... except the Dream", before disappearing into the assembled people.