Chapter 857 Conservative State

Unexpectedly, I felt...bored, licked my lips, and reached for the mineral water bottle again, but I didn't want to drink too much water before I started talking, so I pinched the plastic bottle and listened to the slight clicking sound to chat for entertainment.

Looking forward, that is, the direction of the rostrum, you can feel that congressmen are constantly taking their seats. A short-haired Caucasian woman with a good temperament appears in the center. Underwood's information is completely correct. Song Ya recognizes her and comes from a political family. The real power of the Federal Representative, California Donkey Party Chairman Nancy Patricia, she is also the chairman of this round of House hearings.

That's right, the nameplate in front of her reads Mrs. Nancy Patricia, with the words California underneath.

After a few more glances, he must be in his fifties, right? The appearance is not very obvious, and it is well maintained. According to the rumors that Gordon inquired from the middle management of Comcast, she is "one of my own people", because it is said that her husband has passed the telecommunications bill in Hollywood, Comcast, etc. The beneficiary big media group made a big bet.

Just heard. I have no intersection with her, but Underwood has indeed guaranteed that she will not do bad things.

However, her wealthy family background can be seen from her attire. This year, the dark masculine tailoring and high-end fashions are popular among female politicians, with slightly exaggerated shoulder pads, black and white color schemes, and shiny precious necklaces and jewelry. very striking.

The behavior is also the same. From time to time, she looks around the entire hearing scene, and occasionally whispers a few words to the congressmen who come to say hello, as if she is the queen of this hearing. Exactly.

The reporters squatted and changed positions like a revolving lantern, and they kept filming. It seemed that someone was filming the third round. If it wasn't for the two fixed cameras that PBS placed on the scene, Song Ya would have stared at them. , Save some film!

He couldn't help but recall the speech he gave at that garbage public middle school in South City just after crossing. At that time, Underwood and Michelle were there, as if to force BMI to get the membership as soon as possible?

In fact, my feelings about that speech were not much different from the important occasion of this parliament many years later. The "rituals" and "rituals" of Western-style politics, reporters, observers, congressmen, staff members or entourages of parliamentarians came. Walking, but all of them maintain a rather restrained unity, noisy but not noisy, so that this sense of order has caused a certain pressure on my psychology.

No matter what, Song Ya opened the folder again to review. This is part of the last round of hearings of the telecommunications bill in the House of Representatives. Called, Sloan has listed in detail the possible questions of the congressmen, some of which are the 'real questions' revealed by the black party group through Rangel.

‘I think the bill will condone mergers and acquisitions in the industry, and small and medium-sized media groups, especially media that speak out for ethnic minorities, will face more brutal competition.

The government should have plans for this, such as increasing the protection of minority media interests, subsidizing, or providing other necessary support. '

'Of course, I'm not against reform, it's absolutely necessary, and I'm not against opening up competition either, in fact I like the liberal economic policies of the current Grand Commander, our deficits and debts are shrinking, inflation is suppressed Acceptable level...'

"Cough cough." While reciting the 'standard answer' silently, Pierre Sutton coughed in a low voice and gave the code.

The legislators seemed to have arrived, with people sitting behind all the nameplates on the rostrum, and Nancy Patricia began fiddling with the microphones.

Thankfully, the torment was finally over. Song Ya pushed the mineral water bottle to the side a little, and straightened her back.

Uh, a white male congressman was suddenly called away by his subordinates. Nancy Patricia curled her lips in displeasure, did not speak, and kept looking at people's faces.

"M-fxxk..."

Song Ya, who was 'shaken' for a while, had to curse inwardly and bowed her head to prepare for the exam again, "Small, there will be people in our country, just going through the motions." ’ He comforted himself while cramming.

"APLUS." Suddenly a white man came over to greet him. He looked familiar. He seemed to have seen him on Capitol Hill, but he couldn't remember it for a while.

"Hello." Song Ya held the hand he extended.

"Demberton, on the far right side of the rostrum, like a senior member of the party." The other party smiled affectionately like an old friend, and leaned closer to whisper, "Be careful with him."

"Okay, thank you." Song Ya smiled tacitly.

"Well, don't stare at him right away." The other party left after instructing.

Song Ya was very obedient, and immediately looked back at Sloan after the other party left.

"Deputy commander's office." Sloan whispered, covering the folder in front of his mouth.

Gore guy? Then this is a warning to myself...

But he didn't have much time to think about it. With the noise of switching the microphone on and off, Nancy Patricia finally spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen."

The sound system of the Congress... Not bad, at least the volume is very loud, Song Ya gave a professional judgment.

The reporters retreated to the two sides, and it suddenly became clear to him that the male congressman who had just left had returned to the rostrum at some point, the entourage no longer appeared, and the others stopped talking.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please keep quiet. The American House of Representatives hearing on the telecommunications bill will begin in five minutes from the... round of the third session. We are honored to invite Mr. Song, the chairman of the Inner City Broadcasting Company..."

After Nancy Patricia finished speaking, everyone at the scene took their positions. It was very quiet, except for the sound of flipping papers, some people restrained coughing harshly, and the atmosphere suddenly became solemn.

Song Ya knew that it was marked on the nameplate in front of him, "Actually, I'm more used to being called APLUS." He waited for a while, but didn't see Nancy Patricia continue talking, so he turned on the microphone in front of him and said He smiled and said, "Madam Congressman."

"Of course, I think there is no one in this house who doesn't know you." Nancy Patricia also responded very kindly.

Some congressmen laughed. It seemed that the effect was not bad. The atmosphere on the scene was not depressing. The two black congressmen who had been chatting all the time laughed the most exaggeratedly. The white congressman on the side is indeed named Dan Burton, with a typical old white male appearance, from... Indiana is marked under the nameplate.

Humph, conservative state, I knew... NO! What do I know? Let me be careful, be careful of what? !

Song Ya loosened the collar of his shirt and looked back at Sloan. He really shouldn't have come. Gore sent someone to remind him that the other party is likely to cause trouble. He really shouldn't have come... 99% of the agreement won't happen What's the problem?

Sloan didn't hear the whispered conversation between the two just now, and he didn't respond to his glance. It was impossible to communicate more on this occasion. After the hearing officially started, the process was very fast. Nancy Patricia was reading the manuscript, explaining the reasons for Congress to hold the hearing, the reasons for summoning the chairman of the inner city broadcasting company, etc., and then she asked: "APLUS, the House of Representatives noticed you There was another opinion on the telecommunications bill, so we called this hearing."

"Well, yes, as one of the owners of the Inner City Broadcasting Company, I've noticed that the Act tends to encourage free competition, and that tends to mean it's good for the big corporations, we're a small broadcasting company of just a dozen stations The company, I think the telecommunications bill does not take into account our interests. And there are many small and medium-sized media companies like the inner city all over the city..."

Song Ya read to the first page of the document.

"Can you elaborate on your reasons?" Nancy Patricia said.

"Okay, Madam Congressman, the Inner City Broadcasting Company is an African-American media with a very difficult operating situation. We have done statistics before. More than half of its stations are losing money, and the average salary of employees is below the median of the All-Meter Broadcasting Company. This year, That is, in 1996, due to losses, we have just made a decision to close a radio station and lay off some employees..."

"We're not afraid of competition, but we really can't compete with the big companies, and we, myself and Mr Pierre Sutton behind me are worried about that, because the inner city broadcasters are one of the few that focus on giving voice to African Americans. The media. There are many other similar situations in Mimi..."

It can almost be regarded as an opportunity to give an opening speech. Song Ya has no time to care about other things, and concentrates on reading the manuscript sonorously, "The telecommunications bill is undoubtedly not good for us. I think this is also the voice of most small and medium media..."

"We implore members of Congress to consider the interests of small and medium-sized media deeply before the final vote on the bill in this House." He finished: "Congressman Patricia, Congressmen and gentlemen."

"Okay, next question from... the congressman."

"Do you have a radio station in Washington?" the Negro Caucus asked.

"Yes, sir, led by..." Mr. Song Yachao pointed behind him and pointed to the director of the Trust Washington branch, "FM..." By the way, he made an advertisement.

"Ha, I often listen to it, the content is very good, very serious old-fashioned style." The other party continued to be cheerful, and even greeted the branch director.

"Thank you, Mr. Congressman."

"You just said, APLUS, your business situation is very bad, but can it be confirmed that it is caused by the competition of large companies? Or will this phenomenon continue to worsen after the telecommunications bill is passed?" The other party asked: "I pay attention You didn’t invest in the company until last year.”

"Well……"

Song Ya turned over a few pages of the document in his hand, "There is no clear evidence yet, Mr. Congressman."

It is enough to express our position before, and I will not really take the opportunity of this hearing to attack large companies and the vast majority of members of Congress.

According to Claire, the wife of Underwood, the whip of the Donkey Party, there is a high probability that the bill will be passed almost unanimously in the next vote, and now the person who jumps out can do nothing but disgusting people, why bother? This is not my own style, and A+CN is still cooperating with Comcast, and I can’t offend the telecommunications, Internet and media groups that are eagerly waiting for the bill to pass. “We don’t resist reform. We didn’t because of big companies. The competition caused losses, and maybe the passage of the bill is a chance for us to regain our lives. I just have some doubts about the industry merger after the passage of the bill, so I choose to put forward my opinions to Congress.”

"Aren't your statements a bit contradictory?" the other party asked.

"Well, I don't think Mr. Congressman, I'm pointing out a possibility to Congress. It has a high probability of happening. At the same time, I personally very much appreciate the reform results of the current President. Our economic recovery is visible to the naked eye, deficit and debt. Inflation is well under control..."

"What would you do if, I mean, if an inner-city broadcaster were to be taken over by a major corporation?"

"I do not deny that the capabilities of inner-city broadcasting companies are very weak. Small and medium-sized media groups, especially media that speak out for ethnic minorities, will face more brutal competition. I am prepared, but more policy support is needed...to take care of... ...subsidies...preferential policies..."

Song Ya coped with it with ease. When she drank water halfway, she noticed that Linda was about to burst into tears with joy. Really, it was recorded. After all, it was the president of my record company, so restless...

Then it was replaced by a white congressman who was also a donkey party and had friendship with Jim Clark of Netscape, "You invested in Netscape, right? APLUS."

"Yes, Mr. Congressman."

"I made a lot of money, right? The media estimated it to be around 300 million?"

"Uh, hehe..." Song Ya smiled a little shyly, "I don't know if I can disclose it on this occasion...I want to ask my lawyer, Mr. Congressman."

All the congressmen, reporters and onlookers present laughed.

"Can."

Song Ya pretended to whisper a few words to Hamlin beside him, "Yes, it is roughly this number, according to Netscape's stock price yesterday."

"Have you paid your taxes?" Everyone laughed again.

"Yes, I am a law-abiding citizen."

Everything seems to be going well, and I have many friends in Congress.

Song Ya took the time to observe the Dan Burton MP a few more times, and it seemed that there was nothing unusual. He was concentrating on taking notes on the documents in front of him, writing and scribbling.

The first accident did not come from him. Another member of the Elephant Party asked a question about the anti-discrimination wave that he used the inner city broadcasting company and A+CN to set off against Motura not long ago.

Will Motura still hold on? Song Ya was a little vigilant, "I think it is absolutely correct to oppose any form of discrimination, and we must always work hard..." He looked back at Sloan as he spoke.

"Last page," Sloan mouthed.

The mouth is really big, and today she specially put on red lipstick, which looks very much like Julia Roberts...

Uh, where did I go, "The Inner City Broadcasting Company itself is a radio station that focuses on the African American group, a news radio station, and A+CN, and I and Mr. Gordon who was not present, maybe you have seen him on the BET night Excellent job in journalism..." Turn to the last page for the answer and read on.

The other party is also very careful when it comes to political correctness, "I completely agree with your above point of view. What I care about is whether you are using the power of the media to benefit yourself, such as attacking your opponents in your career."

"I will not interfere with the freedom of the press of the media under my umbrella. I think Mr. Pierre Sutton and Mr. Gordon can testify to me."

Song Ya interrupted and made up the knife: "Of course, whether it is an opponent or a friend, I have zero tolerance for words and deeds of discrimination... Mr. Congressman."

"The next step is... the congressman." Nancy Patricia continued to push the process after getting the elephant party congressman to stop asking questions.

About forty minutes later, Dan Burton got permission and began to ask, "Where were you born, Mr. Song."

"Chicago, South Side."

"Are you American?" Everyone laughed again.

"Yes, of course . . . Mr. Congressman."

"You are a singer, an investor, or a media boss. Last year, Fujibi magazine listed you on the list of the richest people in the United States. Do you think you have realized your American dream?" Dan Burton asked.

"Uh, sort of."

"So? Do you love your country?"

"Of course, what I said was actually referring to..." Without a ready-made answer, Song Ya glanced at Hamlin, and only got a surprised look, "I think I still have infinite possibilities."

Quick wit is very good, this answer made everyone laugh again.

"Attention, Mr. Song, this is the American Congressional hearing, which you swore before. Now please answer a document in my hand, which shows that you were involved in the Bahn Chemical spin-off case in early 1993 , illegally handed over some of the technical data prohibited from being exported to China to Huaguo Chemical Company, what explanation do you have for this?"

"What The..."

Song Ya almost uttered the swear words. He saw Dan Burton picking up a document with a straight face and showing it to the reporters. Xi squatted up to him to take a close-up shot of the document.

It's all old history, and the Bahn chemical case, you are not afraid of the former commander... Song Ya hurriedly looked at Hamlin, then turned back with him, and asked Sloan for advice.

"Calm down, shirk, don't remember." Sloan whispered three phrases.

"Have you discussed it with your lawyer? Mr. Song." Dan Burton still held the document and began to show his fangs. "You will have more opportunities to chat in the future, I promise."

"Uh, I don't remember this happening, Mr. Congressman." Song Ya replied.

"Let me help you recall, this is the secret testimony of an engineer of the Bahn fluorescent agent factory at that time. He said that after you acquired the Bahn Company in 1992, a large number of high-tech materials were transferred to the warehouse of the subordinate fluorescent agent factory. Then, under your direct intervention, they were shipped away by the Huaguo factory."

Dan Burton flipped through the documents and let the reporter take pictures as much as he wanted, "Just outside the warehouse door, you yelled at the general manager of the fluorescent agent factory at the time, cursed rudely, and attacked him in terms of personal safety..."

The corners of his eyes trembled unconsciously when he was stung by the flashing light, "I really don't remember, you know, people like me are always busy with singing career, I don't usually manage company affairs much."

He observed the other congressmen, all of them were looking at the documents in Dumbleton's hand, and no one made eye contact with him, "Mr... Mr. Congressman."

"You are a business genius who has been praised by financial magazines. Didn't you just now have a clear understanding of the operating conditions of the inner city broadcasting company?"

"At that time... I was very young..."

Song Ya clearly felt a drop of sweat hanging on his forehead.

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