#beginagaineditorial

[beginagainbugle]

A Letter to the Editor in Response to Spider-Man & Superhero Unmaskings

by Peter Parker

I’m writing in response to recent events. Not the big, world-ending ones, not the horrible wave of fear that swept the city a few weeks ago (But maybe we should be talking about that more? That was big. Jameson, do your job.). Something smaller and closer to home. 

Spider-Man has an identity, and you’ve all seen his face–surprise! Sorry he’s not better looking! This wasn’t how you were supposed to find out. I know it looks kind of trivial by comparison, but it’s important to me.

My name is Peter Parker, and I’ve been Spider-Man since I was fifteen years old. Judging by the number of “there are new people checking out your LinkedIn profile!” emails I’ve gotten, most of you have figured it out. I’m a New Yorker, like you, Queens born and raised. I recently started a job at a major tech company (I don’t need to spell it out, you know the one). For eight and a half years, I was a freelance news photographer for the Bugle. Despite being their best guy on the Spider-Man beat, for reasons that are probably now pretty obvious, I was never once offered a staff position. I could write a thinkpiece on the Bugle’s systemic exploitation of desperate, cash-strapped minors, and maybe I will, but that’s not the point of this letter.

I didn’t want people to find out like this. I didn’t want them to find out at all. I’ve closely guarded my identity for years; before this, only a very, very few close friends and family knew the truth, for safety. Here’s a thought exercise: You moonlight as an animal-themed vigilante in primary-colored Spandex (I know it’s specific, bear with me here), and you amass a good number of enemies, this newspaper included. They only know you by your mask, by your carefully tailored public persona. They call you a threat, a menace, a nuisance, a sellout. They want to see something bad happen to you. I learned a long time ago that the best way to hurt someone is to go after their loved ones, but if they don’t know the name on your birth certificate, your address, they don’t know who your loved ones are. 

Does it sound dumb and cliche to say “I’m just a normal guy”? Yeah, it super does, and I’m not, I know that. I haven’t been normal since high school, when a deeply weird field trip completely upended the course of my life. But I’m still human, I’m still trying. Yes, my current employer knew who I was when they hired me, and, no, it wasn’t contingent on Spider-Man’s signature on the Accords. I never set out to be the poster boy for Registration. I never set out to be a hero. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, I got handed a set of superpowers, and the only responsible thing to do was to try to make the world a better place. (It’s called tikkun olam. Look it up.) I can’t defend all of my actions, and I live with the consequences of them every day, but I’ve only done what I thought at the time was right.

For years, I knowingly fed into the Bugle’s narrative of my own villainy, my own violence, my own recklessness. Every day, another headline, another picture I had willingly taken for criminally low pay. Over the years, I’ve developed a weird sort of respect for Jameson. He’s committed to his beliefs, I’ll give him that. Not every criticism was unwarranted, I know that. For years, I was an honest-to-god vigilante. I’ve flouted laws, I’ve caused dizzying amounts of property damage in the name of heroism. I deserve to be held responsible for my actions, and I’ve been trying. That’s why I signed the Accords. That’s why I left the Bugle. I would like to implore the Bugle to stop this irresonsible reporting and sensationalism of enhanced individuals. This is senseless rage-baiting, stoking the flames of an already precarious situation. We’re not all the good guys, but we’re trying. In the future, let’s use facts to shape our opinions, not the other way around. 

And let’s stop exploiting us, while we’re at it. I did voluntarily sell my own photography to the Daily Bugle, but I did not consent to recent images of myself that have begun circulating. I am not a minor anymore, they are compromising but not indecent, and I have no actual grounds to stop them. But I was a minor when I started this–would you have done the same thing to me then? Would you have ripped open a teenage boy’s life and laid it bare for the world to see? I feel violated, I have been stripped of agency, but I’m an adult. I’ll pull through. Five years ago? Eight? Maybe not so much. Maybe the next time you want to pull something like this, whether it’s for personal enjoyment or political gain, don’t. Maybe think about the person underneath the mask. 

Like most of you, I have people I love; it wasn’t my safety I cared about, it was theirs. I’ve already lost too many of them. I’m sure you know who they are by now, but I promise you, if you go after them, I’ll go after you. 

You think you’ve seen what I’m capable of; you don’t know the half of it.

[beginagainbugle]

Can we fire JJJ??

We would like to refer you to our last post. 

We at the Daily Bugle understand that not everyone will agree with every article we write. That is why we encourage feedback from all our readers, and why we have often posted and replied to Letters To Our Editor. We encourage everyone to speak their mind and exercise their First Amendment Rights to the fullest. 

That being said, there is a difference between constructive criticism, civil disagreement, and harassment. Notes such as this one fall distinctly into the latter category. Rather than wax poetic on the dangers of jeopardizing a man’s career and livelihood, we at the Daily Bugle would like to take this moment to speak a little bit about our Editor-In-Chief. 

John Jonah Jameson II was raised by his mother Betty Jameson and his stepfather/uncle David Jameson. David was an officer of the United States Army and a decorated war hero, however at home his temper was volatile. He regularly abused his wife and step-son, and it was these actions that first opened JJJ’s eyes to the fact that “No one’s a hero every day of the week,” and “Even the real heroes can’t keep it up all the time.” Nevertheless, JJJ pursued noble interests and persevered, becoming a Boy Scout and joining the boxing and photography clubs in his local high school. He fought back against bullies, and one altercation involved three other men ganging up on him. JJJ managed to fight them back, and impressed the future Mrs. Joan Jameson. The two were wed shortly finishing school. 

While still in high school, he began his journalistic career as a part-time reporter for the Daily Bugle. He attempted to continue his pursuits in college, but was unjustly rejected from his college newspaper because of a rivalry with the editor. However, with money obtained from personal assets and large inheritance, he was able to purchase the Daily Bugle many years later, rescuing this publication from a financial fallout. He revitalized the Bugle with his sense of direction and strong leadership, and despite what detractors may say, his top priority has always been an relentless, fearless pursuit of truth. 

J. Jonah Jameson is outspoken. He is unafraid to speak his mind, as we all should be. For decades, Jameson has used his newspaper to crusade in support of civil rights for minority groups and against organized crime. His latter efforts have led to several attacks, including once nearly being killed on the orders of the infamous Kingpin of Crime. His brush with death, however, did not deter him from continuing to publish attacks and exposes of organized crime.

He was a devoted husband to Joan, and the two of them welcomed a son into the world, John Jonah Jameson III. John was one of the youngest applicants ever to be accepted into NASA’s astronaut program and he is a distinguished member to this day. 

It is his love of family that led to Jameson’s outspoken criticism of superpowered individuals. His wife was killed in an altercation with a masked vigilante, the case remaining open and unsolved to this day. As for his son, John’s first mission into space was nearly derailed by a mechanical malfunction. A masked hero managed to reattach the Forward Guidance Package back to the craft, and John was miraculously able to regain control of the vessel. However, John’s accomplishment was all but forgotten in the face of the shiny new ‘superhero.’ This event led to Jameon’s first editorial denouncement of superheros. He was grateful that his son’s life had been saved, but appalled that the general public so easily forgets the real heroes in these stories. People like John, who do not wear masks and do not have superhuman abilities, but still risk their lives for the betterment of all mankind. 

Since then, Jameson has increasingly spoken out against the glorification of superheroes. He tries to call attention back to our first responders, our police force, our EMTs and doctors, our astronauts and military service-members. The ones so easily forgotten because they cannot shoot lasers or fly into the sun. Glorifying the superhumans of the world leaves us susceptible to overlooking their flaws and mistakes, and Jameson is more than aware of the dangers of such literal hero-worship. He has pointed out time and time again that attacks on this city and around the world happen because of the presence of these superheroes. Would Loki have targeted our city, if not for the Avengers? Would Sokovia have fallen, if not for the hubris of Stark and Banner creating Ultron in the first place? Would Gotham be in the state is in now, if not for the multitude of villains with a personal vendetta against one masked man?

Jameson has never said that these questions would be easy, but they are of the utmost importance to ask and answer. He has published editorials calling into question the moral and ethical concerns of involving children in these superhuman fights. Yes, many of these young people have powers, but is it fair to ask them to take the entire world upon their shoulders? And is it fair, for the rest of us in this city, to constantly be caught in the battles between those who have powers that can devastate entire city blocks? 

To be clear, Jameson has never once called for the extermination of superhuman people. He has even championed Mutant-rights, in accordance with his principles of civil rights. However, he has always maintained that practical measures must be taken. Should Charles Xavier be allowed to carte blanche to create his own superpowered army, in the guise of a school for runaway youngsters? Should the Avengers and the Justice League be allowed to proceed with zero oversight from the people they claim they’re sworn to protect? Jameson says no -- and so should you. 

Regulation and oversight are not unreasonable measures to take. If superhumans are held to a higher standard of behavior, it is because the consequences of not doing so have proven to be disastrous. Jameson has experienced this personally, beginning with his stepfather, a man who should have upheld the highest of standards and instead sunk to the lowest of lows. The superheroes we have come to know today are a blessing and a curse, and while they do a great deal of good for our city and the world, they also cause an immense amount of property damage and personal heartbreak. While other publications are too fearful to speak out, and instead want to explain away every devastating mistake these heroes have ever made, Jameson and the Daily Bugle have made it a mission to hold these people accountable. Accountable for the lives lost, the businesses ruined, and the cities terrified of the next ‘Incident’ that could happen at any second.

If the superhumans of the world do not like to be held responsible for their deadly mistakes, then perhaps they should be the ones fired. 

-- Written by an Intern who would like to remain anonymous at this time

[beginagainbugle]

In Response to Central Park

The Daily Bugle has received a letter in response to the events at Central Park from a man who has seemingly risen from the dead! I guess what they say is true! When mutants die, they never truly stay dead, do they? While the Daily Bugle is publishing this letter, it is important to note that we do not condone this behavior, nor do we stand by it. However, it seems that Mr. Summers is angry. That he’s waging a war. Mutants waging a war on humankind? Wouldn’t be the first time, would it? – J. Jonah Jameson

The history of the human race is one filled with horrific events, one plagued with massacres. You, as a species, have two world wars under your belt. You have decades of history which see human beings bought and sold like merchandise, entire races of your own kind forcibly removed from land that is rightfully theirs in order to make room for others with more in way of riches. You have built bombs capable of aftershocks that last decades. Every time there is someone more vulnerable than you, every time, you find a way to exploit those vulnerabilities. You weaken them further, you take what is theirs. You go to ‘war.’ 

You are not, I suspect, accustomed to these people fighting back.

Rebellions are so easily crushed. That is what the history books show us, even when these rebellions are framed as terrorist attacks or wars where both sides had some chance at winning. This, however, is rarely the case. A war is not a war when one side has weapons significantly more powerful than the other. A war is not a war when society as a whole favors the victor long before they have won. A war is not a war if the outcome is predetermined.

When the United States government sent their enforcers to Central Park, when they set up a trap designed to hurt as many of my people as possible, they were not anticipating a war. They view mutants the same way their ancestors viewed the people they removed from their homes when arriving in this country, the same way they viewed those they sent out to work in the fields — as something less than. 

I am here to tell you all that they, like those who made these assumptions before them, are wrong.

Mutantkind has tried to adhere to the laws humanity has set in place for them. We have gone above and beyond for people who sling slurs in our faces. For years, the X-Men have fought for humanity and still, you hate us. We have fought alongside you and you kill our children in the streets. You send men with guns into parks, you aim those guns at children, you threaten them for the crime of having been born. We are so very few and still, you keep coming for us. 

Central Park was the last straw. Today is the day we stand up. Today is the day we say no more.

I know what people will say about me. I know many of you will read these words and accuse me of inciting violence. I understand this. I wish I saw another way to go about it but, truth be told, I don’t. All we have left is threats. The threat of revolution, the threat of a fight we know you are not prepared to win. You are not used to the people you knock down getting back up. You are not used to the downtrodden fighting back. That changes now. Make no mistake — this is a threat. It is one you have driven me to make because nothing. Else. Has. Worked.

I didn’t want a fight. I really didn’t. What I want, what I have always wanted, is peace for my people. You took that from me. 

I know by now you’re all aware of what happened in Central Park. I know what the papers said. I know you know what happened to me. I’m telling you it doesn’t matter. You can’t kill an idea. It always comes back, resurrected or reborn into a different form. 

This war isn’t one we started. It isn’t one we wanted. But it is one we will fight. It is one we are prepared for.

Are you?

- Scott Summers

[beginagainbugle]

An Essay in Response to "On Diplomacy: A Manifesto by Magneto" & the newly Ratified Accords

The Daily Bugle received this letter only a day after Secretary Ross and Agent Ross announced the new amendments to the Accords. It seems not everyone appreciates the olive branch – and money – thrown their way. But we’re an honest source of news here at the Bugle! We’d be remiss if we didn’t show you this shocking story just as we received it! – J. Jonah Jameson

First and foremost, I feel the need to start off by quoting an old friend of mine. Several weeks ago, an anonymous source delivered quite the message from him and his words were as follows:

There are those amongst us who believe that diplomacy is the answer to the conflict between mutants and humans. I regret to say that there can be no diplomacy.  Diplomacy and negotiation are predicated on the very simple idea that two opposing parties have some measure of equality; that one can offer something to the other and gain something in turn.  Further, both parties must have a degree of respect for the other party, something that will hold them to account for any agreement reached.

There is no equality, and there is no respect…

I ignored his speech because I know him. We never agree on anything these days and even if I hope to reason with him, nothing I say will ever change how he feels about you people. The two of us — and I mean not to sound boastful — but we have been tasked with leading a sizable amount of mutants with each group strongly believing in one idea or the other. In Magneto’s case, I refer back to the quotes above and in my case, I have always given you a lot more credit than you probably deserve. My ideals and the ideals of many who look to me as their leader, all revolve around finding a peaceful means to end the conflict that you started between those with ‘gifts’ and those without. I am the person he refers to in his point about diplomacy.

However Mr. Secretary, if I am to be completely honest, my old friend has a point. It almost pains me to agree with him on anything these days because in order to see his side of the coin, that means I must face the reality that my ideals fall on deaf ears sometimes. I had hoped it would not come to this; that I wouldn’t have to leave the shadows and safety of the school I protect in order to speak on the hypocrisy within the propaganda you keep shoving down the American people’s throats, but it would seem you have left me no choice in the matter. Let us begin…

Agent Ross starts his foray into this shameless propaganda that means to justify discrimination of mutants and those like us by offering a rather smooth, backhanded compliment ——as if he has ever been in the presence of a mutant as opposed to the heroes he/they once hailed that are the primary reason for these Accords in the first place.

“There are those among us who have incredible gifts. Dangerous gifts. A brave new world.”

Dangerous, Agent Ross? Our ‘gifts’ are incredible, but dangerous? We do not need your backhanded compliments. Call it what it is. You all think that we are something to be feared and leading your speech with such nonsense is an insult to our intelligence. Your words are but a subtle jab; a way to incite fear into average person, but I digress. There’s more, my fellow mutants.

“The secretary says that I’m ‘uniquely qualified,’ because I’ve seen it. Not because of my training or my expertise. Not because of the missions I’ve flown or the lives I’ve saved. But because I was there, when Superheroes fought. And I gotta tell you –” He laughed again. “It’s amazing.”

Just what exactly have you seen Agent Ross that uniquely qualifies you to speak on behalf of mutants? Aside from Dr. Banner ( a special case I will not dive into today ), how many mutants have you seen up close? How many have you actually met in person and conversed with in some lengthy form? How many have you seen in combat against ‘your kind’? One experience with a bunch of heroes that — at one time — could freely walk the streets without being persecuted does not make you uniquely qualified to do anything on our behalf. All the people have is your word on your experience, but who’s to say your word wasn’t fabricated for a moment such as this?

You go on to describe what you saw in Wakanda as a beautiful dance that left normal people in awe of what you were witnessing. You practically ooze saccharine as it pertains to our unique abilities but then you swing the hammer in such a way backwards that I have to wonder if my hope is wasted on the likes of you homo sapiens.

“…the dance has to end… the dancers have to come offstage, and into the audience…. We have to learn how to share that world. It needs to be safe for everyone who lives here.”

Agent Ross… Mr. Secretary, it is rare that I read something that isn’t written by Magneto and feel the need to react harshly, but this is one of those times I cannot let your unfairness go unaddressed. I will not reduce myself to inciting a war you all cannot win, but I will say this:

You claim that the ultimate goal of these Accords is so that we can all share the world and feel safe while doing it, but what you fail to understand is that we mutants have wanted this all along. Not the Accords, but the permission to live among you as regular people. We all bleed the same thing Mr. Secretary, but I cannot help but point out the hypocrisy of your words. Furthermore, who are you to tell those with gifts they were born with to ‘get off the stage’, as if this stage was one many mutants asked for. Even IF we register; take off the masks and reveal our locations to you day and night, what are we truly accomplishing here? Registering our names won’t make anyone feel any safer. All this does is allow you easy access to us. Should you decide in your next speech that the best thing for the entire world is to eliminate those pesky dancers then we are but sitting ducks — something I hope has never even crossed your mind.

Persecuting people… telling the public that we’re all dangerous mutants that need to be put in check is not how you make the world a better place. You hardly know us, Mr. Secretary. You’ve never once sat down with us nor taken the time to reach out and actually educate yourself about what you are truly dealing with.You are operating on assumptions; using your irritation at the Avengers for costing you billions of dollars by assuming all of us are exactly the same. 

Not all of us are like my old friend. A vast majority of us are living every single moment alone and in fear; fear of you and the world that continues finding ways to paint us out as horrible people. Instead of trying to find common ground that does not include throwing us in holding cells for not bending to your will, you and Mr. Stark — who likely hasn’t met many mutants either — decided that we needed to be checked; never mind the fact that most of us haven’t done a single thing to deserve this treatment except exist in a world that has never taken kindly to anything different. My mutants are not suiting up everyday fighting aliens on your behalf. We’re not costing you billions or embarrassing you on national televisions with our heroics. The true embarrassment is you, Mr. Secretary.

“We made these rules for one reason, and one reason only. To prevent terrible intentions from becoming unbearable realities.”

What intentions do you speak of? Even though I do not know the Avengers well enough to speak on their behalf, I think it’s safe to assume that all they’ve ever done is use their abilities on behalf of humanity. I’ve never met Captain America but of all the Avengers, I admire him the most. Not only did he help save your sorry hides from an alien invasion, but he walked away with no bloodshed after the very people who made him turned their backs on him. If that is how you treat one of your own, I shudder to think how you would treat people like us. Speaking of us and your so-called rules…

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. —Article 14; the US Constitution

The rules of governing citizens as stated in the Constitution apply to all and we mutants have never questioned it. Many of us walk the straight and narrow; we obey the laws despite being forced to remain in the shadows due to the prejudices you keep pumping into the media. A majority of us have never broken any of the laws and on the off-chance you happen to catch an occasional rule breaker, it’s often because of something your people have done first. Left unprovoked, we go about our business. When provoked, well… 

My point is that despite the clear violation of the Constitution that these Accords are in direct opposition of, we mutants carry on anyway with the hope that things will change for the better. Your latest stunt does nothing but further HIS argument — that you not only see us as monsters, but as something other than rightful citizens who are awarded the same protections by the Constitution as everyone else. Yet you extend a hand to us as if things are going to magically change with the signing of our names yet in the same breath, we are to be taken by deadly force if necessary; killed, chained or even locked away without any kind of trial if we oppose you.

And if I am mistaken and by rules you meant the Accords, then I must sincerely apologize. The rules placed in society are meant to be followed if the government and the people governed are meant to coexist peacefully. However, when the rules are unfair and unabashedly biased, the people… the citizens of that society, have a right to push back. I’ll not deny my mutants that right.

Mr. Secretary, up until now, all I’ve ever done is try from behind the scenes to see both sides of the coin. I have done nothing but train my students in the art of peaceful coexistence. Nothing good can come from fighting our own people. In the same breath, it would seem that the world I’ve been fighting for all my life seems ever more out of reach with each law you pass. It’s a shame we are all being forced to suffer on behalf of your ire with others, but shame on me for expecting more from a government who — historically — has a nasty habit of destroying the things that make them uncomfortable or feel inferior.

This new law you have passed will only incite the rage of the one who continues to be a thorn in your side. This is my final plea to see reason. At the end of the day, when you finally grow tired of ratifying papers and decide you wish to solve the issue in the same manner you have solved all of this country’s issues in the past, I will go silent. I will stand aside and let things unfold, no matter how much it may pain my heart. 

TO MY FELLOW MUTANTS,  my final message to you all is to survive; to use your common sense when presented with scathing propaganda like this and proceed in a manner that allows you to live with no regrets down the road. I will never fully relinquish my faith because it is my hope that someday the people in power will realize their mistakes. It’s never too late you see. However, my loyalties have always been first and foremost, to my fellow X-Men; my mutants and my family. I will NEVER encourage you to retaliate with violence, but I will understand if you see things HIS way as opposed to my own, especially now.

In closing, Mr. Secretary, I will NOT be registering under your Accords and neither will the children left under my legal guardianship. Do what you must, but heed my warnings: even the most docile of creatures will fight back when backed into a corner. I pity anyone who comes at me or my students looking to collect when we’ve done nothing wrong. When you are finally ready to accept just how wrong you are and agree to work with me on an answer that doesn’t just benefit your side, give me a call. You won’t find me or my school, but finding you — wherever you are in the world — will never be a problem for someone like me. My powers are something that should keep you and your entire staff awake every night, but is it not fortuitous that I have always been on your side?

Sincerely,

          Professor X & Leader of the X-Men

[beginagainbugle]

“On Diplomacy” -- A Manifesto by Magneto!

The Daily Bugle received this letter from an anonymous source – but it was signed by Magneto himself! This letter is nothing short of a Manifesto! We print this letter not to ‘profit from fear’ as some degenerates would claim – but so our citizens can be informed of the dangers we face from Unregistereds and Mutants alike! – J. Jonah Jameson

There are those amongst us who believe that diplomacy is the answer to the conflict between mutants and humans. 

I regret to say that there can be no diplomacy.  Diplomacy and negotiation are predicated on the very simple idea that two opposing parties have some measure of equality, that one can offer something to the other and gain something in turn.  Further, both parties must have a degree of respect for the other party, something that will hold them to account for any agreement reached.

There is no equality, and there is no respect. 

Humans do not see our kind as people, but as weapons, and one does not negotiate with a bomb or a gun.  The only thing humans want from us, the only thing we have to yield in comparison to them, is our powers.  Our gifts, engrained in our DNA, every bit as much a part of us as a limb.  To demand we register, to yield control of our powers, part of our very being, to forces outside ourselves, is not simply an act of discriminatory policy, but an act of violence. 

And violence will be responded to in kind. 

No more will we stand idly by while our brothers and sisters are forced into hiding for fear of being whisked away from their homes and families by men in suits.  No more will we stand by while our brothers and sisters are harassed in the streets because they were born with gifts the rest of humanity has dreamt of for centuries.  No more will we stand by while our brothers and sisters face ignoble death in the alleys of our cities at the hands of humans who act on nothing but fear and hatred. 

We are the next phase of human evolution, and it is our responsibility to each other and to the future to ensure our survival–by any means necessary.  The less evolved have declared war on our people, through the Accords.

It is not just our right, but our obligation, to remind them why weapons come packaged with a simple warning:  handle with care.