Jeff Ragan’s Reviews > Wildfire > Status Update

"Ahead, it was wooded and hilly, even mountainous. Other signs pointed to Zurich and southeast to Basel, both in Switzerland and both off-limits to most travelers these days. The Swiss, as was their habit - a habit that had kept them free for centuries - was (sic) hunkering down again and largely shutting the world out. Of course, they did not exclude the world's money..." (192).

"He sat still and silent, listening. He learned that in the service, the power of listening. At first, the wood seemed silent. But soon he was picking out noises - crickets, wind, bird calls, perhaps a dog, and off in the distance, cars passing in the night. He watched and listened, the weapon on his lap. For hours" (179).

"Come now, Louise, we all understand that the socialism we all praise on television is utter nonsense. The People's Republic's flirtation with it will go on the list of the times socialism was tried but was never actually tried. Everyone sentient understands that this country needs reform. I don't propose we return to the pre-Split days. I prefer my capitalism controlled, harnessed, and obedient" (175).

"The geek took the iPad & punched up Skype, then giggled again as he hit an account on his favorites that had no avatar. It rang. And rang. And it picked up. The video focused. An Arab man in a sunny room. He said something in Arabic, & sounded impatient. Turnbull took the iPad & stared into it. 'Hey, asshole. I'm who your boys were looking for. I smoked their sorry asses...and...your pudgy brother" (166).

"'Dachau.' The visitors building was...covered with graffiti. Most of it Turnbull could not decipher...but he got the gist. The influx of unsympathetic Arabs, the break-up of the United States...& exhaustion after nearly a century of national guilt all combined to create a national consensus to forget this place ever existed. So, the memorial was closed & forgotten by everyone but the drunks & the vandals" (153-4).

"The Hotel Ingel Hof was a large three-story white rectangle lying on its side just off the main road through town. There were no balconies, only rows of windows. It was perfectly functional, almost militant in its rejection of anything beyond its pure utilitarianism. It was a place for sleeping, and nothing more" (137).

"Carter looked confused. 'We can't judge their experiences & values.' 'Our whole job at the PBI is judging people's experiences & values.' 'That's different,' insisted Carter. 'At the PBI we only prosecute bad people.' 'I think people who hurt dogs are pretty bad.' 'How can you judge that?' 'You just said we prosecute bad people. How can you judge them?' 'Because...It's obvious.' (129).

"There was some finger snapping from the audience. Turnbull recalled that applauding was disfavored because slapping the palms together demonstrated hostility & re-traumatized victims of abuse. Of course, there was some grumbling about the snapping - someone complained that 'It reeks of thumb privilege...' The dissenters raised their hands up & wiggled their fingers, a move called 'up-twinkles' (109).

"'This country is on the edge. Any new crisis can tip it over into chaos. And if something does, your secret police force, even with the Army, can't stop it...' 'The old United States ruled by consent. We rule by fear, fear on the part of individuals who know that anyone who rebels will be punished. But if everyone rebels, then we are effectively helpless'" (97).

"'So, what is "moving up" from the PBI?' asked Turnbull. 'Nothing,' Carter said. 'The PBI is the premier crimefighting organization in, well, the world.' 'How about the FBI in the United States?' asked Turnbull. 'Is that a joke?' she scoffed. 'They're just a tool of the oppressive red regime, and they have been ever since they denied Hillary Clinton the election in 2016." (89).