AUGUST 19, 2007
TAKING SIDES

The world is taking sides. Every day we gain more followers, refugees who arrive in Promise City with hope for a new world. We are opposed on all sides by the government and the frightened mainstream. As if that weren't opposition enough, there are still those who have gone astray – people like Richard Tyler and, most recently, my own cousin Shawn. And so, despite our peaceful intention, regardless of our mission to heal, it sometimes becomes necessary to be the aggressors.

Richard didn't leave us much choice. It might seem cruel to revive the memory of his dead wife, but it was far less cruel a tactic than other measures we could have taken. Lily was only an illusion, as was his irrational belief that he can recast his own daughter to fit some preconceived, idyllic parental fantasy. And now, because of his actions and his betrayal of the movement, he's been apprehended by NTAC. But his arrest is of little concern. We have no use for traitors in Promise City.

Which brings me to Shawn. Something has to be done. He's family and the last thing I want to do is hurt him in any way, but we must send him a message. He needs to know that we can no longer accept his repeated defiance. While Jordan continues to send a message of peace and acceptance, Shawn continues to oppose him. To speak out against the movement and lambaste him in the press. I was shocked when Shawn first spoke out against Jordan and accused him of being a mass murderer. Now, he's telling the world to wait to take Promicin. Wait for what? Wait for more harsh laws and tougher tactics that will block the spread of Promicin? Wait for the government to wipe out Promise City?

Shawn's latest tactic is his backhanded way of challenging Jordan's leadership of the 4400. But this isn't some high school popularity contest. Shawn craves the love and acceptance of the mainstream, but he lacks the vision to offer salvation. Jordan gains nothing personally from the spread of Promicin; his motives are pure. Having seen the future that awaits us, his only desire is to save humanity. Is Shawn half as noble?

I can see that Jordan is hurt by Shawn's attacks. There was a time when Jordan thought of him as a son. But now? Adding insult to his betrayal, Shawn has recruited Kevin Burkhoff, Jordan's one-time collaborator and the father of 4400 technology. Burkhoff thinks he's found a way to determine who will live and who will die from the Promicin shot. But Jordan knows that for the movement to be successful, Promicin must spread to all people everywhere. The future we're trying to create cannot exist if positives and negatives are locked in a violent co-existence.

Science can't solve the dilemma we face. Yes, it is tragic that the new world must be born of so terrible a sacrifice, but it's up to those committed to the movement to ensure that sacrifice not be made in vain.

The world is taking sides. Those who find us know we are a sanctuary, a refuge for those seeking a better life and a better