[War] US/CAN: Blue and Crimson 2

[John Penta]

"Blue and Crimson 2"
15 July 2014
Pres. John Williams, USA
PM James McColl, Canada
=====================
<Aspen, Camp David>

After their swim, it was dad's job to feed Luke.

Or try to, anyway. Luke was looking around at all the people, and
babbling like a sheep. "Bababababababababababababaaaaa!"

"Yes, little sheep. But now's time to eat," Dad cajoled. Spotting
his Canadian counterpart, he looked over with eyes that seemed to beg
for help. "He eats now or gets horrible later...Except he doesn't want
to pay attention to the food."

The McColls chuckled.  They knew exactly what Williams was talking
about.  Jennifer went over and started talking to Luke, who seemed to
calm down a little and eat some food.

John smiled with gratitude as he fed Luke. Soon enough, after a bit of
a mess included, Luke was fed, burped, and playing with Erik and Anna
under John's watchful eye.

McColl sauntered over to Williams and said, "Do you have a few minutes
maybe now or later, so we can walk and discuss some ideas?"

"Sure, if I can coerce your kids into watching Luke while we're out?"
The POTUS asked with a grin.

"Yea, that's fine.  They've had lots of practise on their younger cousins."

Within a few minutes, then, the leaders were walking on Camp David's trails.

"What'd you have in mind?" Williams asked.

"I've thought on the water issue.  But I wanted to hear what you're
thinking on it as well."  They were walking slowly, almost sauntering
down the path.

"I'm thinking 'there's a good reason why they didn't touch it in
NAFTA, now that I think about it'. It's a messy issue, and the idea
that first came to mind, of domestic law to limit it like you have,
wouldn't pass muster with the courts," Williams replied. Above the
two, a bald eagle (Camp David had a few pairs nearby) watched from his
perch in the trees.

"Indeed, it could be messy.  However, there might be a way around
that.  I know in many arid parts of the world desalinization is used
to support population in otherwise inhospitable areas.  Perhaps the
southwest should look into that for at least part of a solution."
McColl paused.  "We both know, I think, that Ottawa won't allow the
bulk transfer of water to those states."

"I think you'll have to tell the Governors that - they'd kill me if we
blocked it. I'm not sure desalination is currently a solution -
environmental issues for one; That said, I'm in favor of the idea, if
the power issues can be conquered."

"Well we could start a research project to improve the efficiency of
the process; involve private industry to reduce costs and make it
marketable once finished."

"Good," Williams ventured. "A thought: Does Canadian law allow the
Crown to share patents? What might be best is if we share ownership of
the patents, -then- get private industry involved. If not, we could
set up a jointly-owned corporation, 50% Canadian Government 50% US
government, and use that to hold the IP involved."

"I'll have my people look into it because I don't know off the top of
my head.  If there is a problem, we should be able to find a way
around it."  McColl looked up and saw the eagle take off.

"Yeah. On the US side, I know the Government doesn't copyright, but we
do a pretty heavy patent business." Williams smiled as the eagle glide
into the sky, then laughed as he saw Akela, his German Shepherd,
chasing a deer.

It took a bit, but Akela was swiftly saved from being gored by
antlers. Namely, by John making deer calls and confusing dog and deer
alike.

"Akela! Get over here! No harassing the wildlife!" He called.

As the dog scampered over, John reached down and scratched the pup's
ears. "Heel, boy. No harassing the wildlife."

The two finished their stroll through the forest and returned to the
lodge, where Erik and Anna were still having fun with Luke under the
mom's watchful eye.

Later on, dinner was excellent and the day finished with a beautiful
deep red sunset.
---
Actions:
1) Discuss water issues.
2) Some character development.