America's Funniest President: Mo Udall Presidency & Beyond
- Thread starter CountDVB
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Those darn delayed flights. Something has to be up with the industry. Perhaps flights are less delayed ITTL.😉 Is that French? Glad you had a great time! Looking forward to the update!
Yeah, tire sur la neige is a Canadian treat though I first heard of it on Epic Meal Time.
And glad everyone is still having fun!
Winter 1999- A Funeral in Syria
Winter 1999- A Funeral in Syria
A Syrian soldier stands guard in front of a huge portrait of the late president Hafez al-Assad in the northern Syrian town of Qardaha on the day of Mr Assad's funeral.
A Syrian soldier stands guard in front of a huge portrait of the late president Hafez al-Assad in the northern Syrian town of Qardaha on the day of Mr Assad's funeral.
1999 would be starting with alot on everyone's minds. The publications and skyrocketing popularity of Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity over in the US brought fresh life to the evolving perspectives of people regarding SATMIN+ folk and accepting them as they are. It seemed to serve as a release of the floodgate for people on what could be done. Copies of the book are being translated and sent across the globe, with advanced copies in Russian and Chinese given as gifts to the Russian and Chinese leaderships respectively as a sign of good faith. It would also be accelerating global talks regarding SATMIN+ civil rights as a whole and what could be done with it on a global scale. In the meanwhile, the two copyright bills of the United States would continue to move at different paces, though some work would still get done. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act was modified to ensure protection of matters such as free speech parody and so on, along with loosening up a couple of restrictions due to the concerns caused by the impracticalities of enforcing the act though the plans are for the Act to be reviewed every five years or so ans see what could be changed and updated. This was smoother sailing compared to the copyright right renewal act, which was facing stauncher resistance. While initially seemed as just a method to match Europe's newer standards ended up turning into a surprising hullaboo regarding copyright. Large companies were quite concerned on losing copyright, but the reformed lobbying system made it alot harder for them to do so. Public cases, such as an attempt of charginging someone for singing "Happy Birthday" put the pinch against copyright. Attempts at defending artist intregity backfired as many artists noted the copyright were held by companies rather than them and the overall system. Ultimately, the bill would remain in debate though less and less congressfolk were willing to spend time backing it up and in fact, some were thinking of just scrapping it and starting it over, all while the major companies were realizing they would have to make major concessions or the possibility of copyright renewal failing for them.
Internationally, the main focuses were over on the Balkans and the Middle East. A new mercenary group consisting of former Romanian and Bulgarian troops would offer their services over to Albania and Macedonia to serve as reinforcements over in the Kosovo War and with this new group, would push the tides over further for the Kosovo rebels against Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia itself found itself under the return of the harsh sanctions and economic punishments, which led to a rapidly devolving view of the leadership in charge, especially with the growing international story of the war caused by the government's belligerent attitude toward a minority group. Back in the Middle East, a funeral would be called for the death of Hafez al-Assad, Syria's president since the 1970s. Dying from a heart attack, medical experts noted that the heart attack was brought by the extra stress and tensions of the Iranian-Turkish War and the border conflicts that were barely averted from that situation. Of course, his death would come at a time of friction between what would be his chosen successor in Bashar and Bushra, long believed to be his favorite and the one helping to run the show. However, Bashar's ascension would not come to be. During Hafez's purging of officials unsupportive of his dynastic succession plan, Bushra would end up in contact with the Neo-Baathists and the Qatari leadership. With Syria being the only Baathist power left, they saw it as a potential chance to spread their influence and would become impressed with Bushra. As such, a plan would be formed regarding Bashar, something that become more and more predominant as Bushra would recruit the various officials ousted by her fathers because of their skepticism with dynastic rule. [1] With the death of their father, Bushra arranged a meeting with her brother and tried with an ultimatum regarding her having the reins of power as president in exchange for some of what Bashar was wanting. It was a tense situation, given that the military would be filled with Alawite officials loyal to him, but Bushra and her husband still had influence along with her coalition of the old guard. She also worked with appeals given his lack of interest in politics, the fact he was rushed in having to be groomed because of the tensions of the Iranian-Turkish War and the like.
Reluctantly and without violence, Bashar would go and step aside. Syria would wake up for Bushra al-Assad on being the new President of Syria, with the return of the old guard, the establishment of closer ties with Qatar and modernizing the nation with Neo-Baathist ideals. Bashar himself would still go on to find a prominent decision in the new government with establishing healthcare along with the modernizing the internet infrastructure. [2] Syria was now under new leadership and with a new path, with plenty of establishment talks being held over and the focus shifting south. There was a growing sense of hope that these new conflicts may end and really bring about peace, but with Saudi Arabia still seemingly a ticking timebomb regarding the lack of stability with the government, it was hard to say when all of this would occur. A few economists were showing concern over what they were calling the "dotcom bubble" regarding fever rate of investment on various developments, while Microsoft would become more nervous over the court case and sought to further diversify their portfolio with their own investment in the revived Atari such as releasing some titles for the computer with remastered editions while also taking notes from their competitors. The DIY Network is launched and rises in popularity to take advantage of a booming DIY movement based on self-sustainability and "getting back to the roots" something popular especially among the older folk while one of the largest drug busts in American history, the United States Coast Guard intercepts a ship with over 9,500 pounds (4,300 kg) of cocaine aboard, headed for Houston, Texas. [3] And lastly, the Super Bowl would see the release of a new animated sitcom known as Family Guy over from MetroCentury Media or MCM and created by rising talent Seth MacFarlane and two new partners in Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
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[1]- Information and phrasing come here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hafez_al-Assad
[2]- Information and phrasing come here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad
[3]- Information and phrasing come here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_in_the_United_States
What is copyright like ITTL, is it similar to how things turned out in A Gore Prosperous Tomorrow?
Well, we’re still operating under 1976’s rules and ball is up for how things will go as the new reforms with lobbying, donations and so on have meant quite a brick wall.
I would appreciate the input of someone knowledgavle on what could happen here since I am trying to be plausible in this new scenario. And yup, Parker and Stone have formed a trio with MacFarlane.
The flight comment is actually relevant though to a degree. With the increase adoptation and implementation of high speed rail system, the airline industry is gonna take a bit of a beating, namely as smaller ones get pushed ot of business and the industry will have to focus on longer or more distant flights to compensate. This will keep happening as electric rail grows in scope and influence
Spring 1999- Nunavut News
Spring 1999 would be seeing the beginning of the hints of the political season. President Specter confirmed his likelihood in running for reelection though the news would be somewhat quiet over for the other parties. Many attibuted to the still fluid political atmosphere, though at the same time, it seemed that everything was mostly all right over for the time being. President Specter would give a proud send-off and Presidental Medal of Honor over to former Chief Justice Barbara Jordan along with the suprirsing news of Jordan coming out of the closet as being samgen, something that elicited a fair bit of surprise and noted her silence on the matter as professionalism (though many have noted it was something of an open secret among those in Washington DC who remained quiet out of courtesty.) In the meanwhile, Patricia Wald would retire form the Supreme Court as well, given President Specter yet another seat over for the Supreme Court. Joining the Merrit Court and taking her seat would be none other than José Alberto Cabranes, becoming the first Puerto Rican on the Court. Though speaking of, it would be announced another Puerto Rican statehood referendum would be coming up though there was also news of Washington D.C. itself debating for statehood though this would require abolishing the 23rd Amendment among other issues, but given the large changes to the electoral system, it seemed like it would be a good time to try and do so, especially with the new amendments to be accounted for.
With the Kosovo revolutionaries and their allies getting a boost and Yugoslavia on the backburner, NATO and the SUSR was coming in talks with the likelihood of pressuring Yugoslavia into surrendering to avoid further bloodshed, especially as the Kosovo rebels were gaining more support abroad along with things like medical supplies and the like. The fact the government's popularity was at an all-time low also was pushing for it. Rumors were circulating that NATO may get involved offensively over in the Kosovo War, but such speculations were disregarded as NATO noted they were not getting involved in conflict and was wanting to focus on peaceful answers. That said, they were also pushing for supplies in assistance to the Kosovo forces. SUSR were also relatively quiet though seemed to also be involved if also to keep an eye out on the Romanian and Bulgarian mercenaries hired by the Kosovo side. Though speaking of NATO, the big news would come over regarding NATO: them accepting three new members. Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic would be the first new members to join NATO, having begun working toward joining since the end of the Warsaw Pact and the last days of the USSR. [1] This was also raising questons on whether other nations may consider joining NATO. One was Slovakia, which was one a single nation with the Czech Republic. Other candidates were the Baltic states, who were in serious consideration though they were not united as Estonia seemed to stick closer to Finland and the other Nordic nations while Lithuania was getting more influence from Poland. However, this would not be the only political development that Europe is planning...
Meanwhile, with the Kosovo War seeming to near its end and the political future in Syria having been disrupted of many expectations with the switch to Neo-Baathism and Syria's growing ties with Qatar and Afghanistan, various experts were looking for other places in the world for potential spots of trouble. The middle of Africa averted a war and Zaire was slowly but surely being fixed of the corruption fixed within while the SUSR decided to begin its route of international influence by lending plenty of aid and to push for support there. However, Africa would still itself struggling with various issues such as Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara, president of Niger, would beassassinated with coup leader Daouda Malam Wanké taking charge while in In Guinea-Bissau, President João Bernardo Vieira is ousted in a military coup. Though in more positive news, Nigeria terminates military rule, and the Fourth Nigerian Republic is established with Olusegun Obasanjo as president.[1] China was going further ahead with its democratization efforts, but whether they will survive past its current leader remains to be seen though the early results of local leadership elections is showing promise. Closer back to home though, political incidents would show that domestic violence was still an issue. The British would be horrified by nail bomb attacks in London, with the perpetrator being David Copeland. Given his victims were black Londoners along with Bengalis and British SATMIN+ folk, it was clearly a series of hate crimes and the asssociation over with far-right/fascist leaning groups further solidifed this, encouraging Parliament to crack down harder on these groups. [1]The Americans themselves lent aid there as they had experience with similar folk, that of 'munafics'. Reforms of police work and investigation into these groups continued to paid off along with notes to deal with such issues. In more positive news, Cambodia joins the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), bringing the total members to 10 while Canada would celeberate Nunavut's creation as the third territory and a homeland for the Inuit people, especially with the ongoing rush for potential geothermal opportunites over in the region along with further developing the economy of the territory. Overall, things were getting pretty quiet as President Specter's law and order approrach for peace and prosperity was doing good and helping to shape future political thought.
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[1]- Information and phrasing from here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999
Nunavut negative stuff! Trying to go further with optimism! I hope you are enjoying the timeline
Curious who the Democrats nominate against Specter when he runs for a second term when 2000 starts to be covered.
Definitely same here. Also a review of Canadian politics and party leaders at some point.
This./\
That will be coming soon, though I would appreciate suggestions and the like there.
Perhaps if Canada is better off maybe the Bloc Québécois lose some of their support to the NDP. IOTL the NDP lost a lost of votes and seats during the 1990s but if they remain popular enough, perhaps with a better and more charismatic leader (perhaps an earlier Jack Layton leadership could help if he won election to Parliament earlier in 1993 or 1997 or entered provincial politics as Mayor of Toronto or maybe even Premier). If the NDP doesn't fall as they did IOTL during those years then perhaps they could make their comeback earlier and keep gaining support enough to carry them to an official majority parliament victory at some point.
I have previously mentioned that the NDP is currently in charge of Canada right now. Heck, they just reformed the electoral system away from "first-past-the-post" system.
So yeah, Canada is definitely better off right now
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