A Shift in Priorities

[ANARCHY_4_ALL]

Originally Posted by Expat

Is there a Business Plot in the offing? Mass-escape to private islands?

I wondered this as well in one of the updates spoke of Butler. It reminded me of it. It would be funny if The Ghosts cause the extreme rightists to ally with Big Business and use the Grunts as their paramilitary.

[Bmao]

Bradley is constructing a well-run, well-organized operation that can provide services that the government can't or won't. He's actually alleviating the US' drug problem by formulating a responsible method of buying and selling drugs; sort of a de-facto legalization of the drug industry.

While the federal government may not necessarily like Bradley's group, I'm willing to bet that the state and local politicians are willing to reach out to Bradley for their support. In fact, I'm betting that the state legislatures of California, Nevada, etc. are already outsourcing much of the governments services to Bradley's group.

Furthermore, Bradley and his biker vets could be a key counterweight to the Middle African trained ex-criminals, and it would help him gain much prestige and influence. I'm seeing these biker grunts as a US version of Friekorps; men who operate outside the authority of the US government but believe in the strength of the nation, and willing to bear arms to make it so. With the way the country is going, it won't be too long until Bradley decides to take his group mainstream and enter the realm of politics.

Here's how I'm seeing it; in the 1940s when all hell breaks loose, Bradley will either become the savior of the USA or the man who brings it down. I'm hoping for the former, of course.

[ANARCHY_4_ALL]

Originally Posted by Bmao

Bradley is constructing a well-run, well-organized operation that can provide services that the government can't or won't. He's actually alleviating the US' drug problem by formulating a responsible method of buying and selling drugs; sort of a de-facto legalization of the drug industry.

While the federal government may not necessarily like Bradley's group, I'm willing to bet that the state and local politicians are willing to reach out to Bradley for their support. In fact, I'm betting that the state legislatures of California, Nevada, etc. are already outsourcing much of the governments services to Bradley's group.

Furthermore, Bradley and his biker vets could be a key counterweight to the Middle African trained ex-criminals, and it would help him gain much prestige and influence. I'm seeing these biker grunts as a US version of Friekorps; men who operate outside the authority of the US government but believe in the strength of the nation, and willing to bear arms to make it so. With the way the country is going, it won't be too long until Bradley decides to take his group mainstream and enter the realm of politics.

Here's how I'm seeing it; in the 1940s when all hell breaks loose, Bradley will either become the savior of the USA or the man who brings it down. I'm hoping for the former, of course.

Indeed this is also what I'm seeing. I remember hearing about the KKK being very against drugs and such. Has that changed if so maybe we could see The Grunts reaching out to the KKK in the East. Of course I wouldn't see this being a possibility until the next decade. Bradley could help bring about a Nationalistic right wing movement. Maybe even as a martyr? Any action the Ghosts perpetrate could cause an equal reaction. I like that my little side story has made it so far. And Rast is taking it in an awfully good direction.

[Expat]

The situation is reminiscent (to me, and maybe only on a surface level) of the Spanish Civil War (IOTL.)

You had a really fragmented political scene on both sides with vague sets of common goals barely holding the two broad coalitions together.

Right now there's no reason for a coalition to form- no crucible of war to force any kind of unity. So I don't think we'll be seeing much cooperation between the KKK, the bikers, the Southern Evangelicals, the Coughlin clique, the Texans, the alt-Libertarians, the industrialists, and the mainstream, Middle-American conservatives. Nor, for that matter, The African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, industrial workers, Midwest farmers/homesteaders, Dust Bowl freedom fighters, free-thinkers, Mae West clique, Alvin York clique, Hawaiians, Hollywood, and mainstream, Middle-American progressives.

It's possible that worse troubles could bind them, but I think fragmentation is more likely. I think this is especially true on the Right, where the bikers, Texans, alt-Libertarians, industrialists, and KKK all barely overlap each other, territorially-speaking. The religious groups are broader, but I think generally-speaking, where Coughlin is the Southerners are not, and vise-versa.

My point is, if you don't have to compromise within your own territory, why reach out to others who would force compromise upon you?

[Peabody-Martini]

This scenario sounds like the rural/urban divide on steroids with the largely industrial North East and Upper Midwest pulling away from the rest of the country. California and the Pacific Northwest likely drifting away culturally due to geography on top of all that.

One odd wrinkle is that the greater prevalence of the Klan throughout the country in TTL could result in one of those unanticipated consequences that seem to blindside everyone when they happen. With the exodus of African Americans from the Deep South to the Northern cities and the West Coast diminished this means that parts of Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas are majority minority. If these communities consider themselves more or less under siege at the same time they are watching the whole country come apart at the seams they might start looking out into the world for help. Who do you think would answer that call?

A sarcastic reference was made awhile back about MA pulling off an UberSealion with landings in North America. What this actually came in the form of simply walking down the gangway into New Orleans? There would be some heads exploding over that development.

[Expat]

Originally Posted by Peabody-Martini

A sarcastic reference was made awhile back about MA pulling off an UberSealion with landings in North America. What this actually came in the form of simply walking down the gangway into New Orleans? There would be some heads exploding over that development.

Or the Gullah Sea Islands. This would be a fun thought experiment for some junior officer on the MA General Staff.

[Bmao]

There is no way in the racist environment of the US that they would possibly call for Middle African intervention.

If the US fractures, and that's still a big if at this point, it'll probably just deal with its own problems on its own and see what comes out of it. In fact, the prospect of Middle African intervention could actually unite the country.

[Peabody-Martini]

Originally Posted by Bmao

There is no way in the racist environment of the US that they would possibly call for Middle African intervention.

Funny that, the very racist environment described could cause this to happen. That coupled with the nasty tendency of white Americans to underestimate their black neighbors and the MA desire to kick the US in the teeth makes for a rather combustible mix. The fact that this is a bit unthinkable makes the thought rather delicious. I could be way off but its still fun.

[Expat]

Exactly, a fun thought for us, a fun thought for the General Staffs of the world.

Though IF things do totally go to hell and THEN a relief convoy from MA shows up in an overwhelmingly African American area...

[Peabody-Martini]

Originally Posted by Expat

Exactly, a fun thought for us, a fun thought for the General Staffs of the world.

Though IF things do totally go to hell and THEN a relief convoy from MA shows up in an overwhelmingly African American area...

Then all hell breaks loose. There's a reason no one here could get appointed to said General Staffs of the world. An understanding of history and a realization that all actions have consequences would not be welcome. Want an example, WW1 want more, the Iraq war, Vietnam or anything that has ever happened in Afghanistan.

[Monty Burns]

I'm not sure how all this works out, if the US partition or not.

But two things are pretty sure IMHO: On the short and medium turn, the Gruns will not help to overcome the various problems of the US - rather in the contrary.

And second, I think we can be pretty sure that the wealthy care for themselves. Canada, Australia and New Zealand, probably also Ireland, and several Latin American states will accept rich Americans - and likely attract substantial investment at the moment to prepare for that. Others will simply go to Europe.

[rast]

This prosperity of the country, independent of all agency of the Government, is so great that the people have nothing to disturb them but their own waywardness and corruption.
(John Quincy Adams)

Travelling to California had been much more complicated for John Silas ‘Jack’ Reed than for the Twenty-Eight Ghosts. Fortunately, some of Ephraim Sklyansky’s former staff members had sought employment in Lázaro Cárdenas’ headquarters after the sudden and unexpected demise of John Rutherford and his former Cheka comrades. Thus, at least, immaculate counterfeit passports had been available. From Mexico, Reed had gone to Spain, from Spain to Ireland, from Ireland to Canada – each time changing identity and passport. From Canada, he secretly had sneaked across the border to Montana – and then had slowly drifted towards California.

Establishing contact with the Ghosts had not been easy either. But there were secrets, which only inmates of Eastham Unit Prison could know; and after posting fake advertisements in several newspapers – and after waiting for a long time, Reed finally had been rewarded with a rendezvous in Los Angeles. With wonder and mystification, Reed had followed his instructions and wandered into the Negro quarter – only to find a luxurious domicile...

A domicile, occupied by the Ghosts... – but guarded by local mobsters... Reed was dumbstruck. His former prison companions obviously had learned a lot in Venezuela...
It was Tony Patterson, who welcomed him. The huge black man was a robber, sentenced to lifelong prison for crippling a bank warden. Reed had converted him to socialism – in long prison hours...
“Jack!” exclaimed Tony. “Be embosomed! – That we really should meet again...”

They were guests, esteemed guests, explained Tony. The local boss felt deeply honoured to host them. Unfortunately, he just wasn’t able to meet Jack – well, he had been locked away for his own security. Right now, one might consider him a kind of hostage, safeguarding the decent conduct of his gang. But, said Tony, the Ole Man certainly would join their movement, once Jack explained everything to him...

“Oh dear!” Jack finally sighed, after Tony had ended his explanation. “So, you have made quarters with some black LA mobsters. – Well, howsoever, a bedrock is a bedrock. I guess they are as good as any other underground outfit. – Okay, now call in the rest of the boys, I need to address them. Our plight has just begun; we must liberate our socialist brethren in jail all over the US – and we must urgently establish contact with the Barrow Brothers. And we need weapons, money and vehicles...”

[Peabody-Martini]

So it begins.....................

[zeppelin247]

this doesn't seem good at all, so what is a large amount of this civil unrest going to be the suppressed black Americans rising up? This here combined with the American economy about to collapse I can just imagine a lot of trouble being caused and you know when all this trouble starts I can imagine the Omar Bradley can either crush the trouble or use his biker gang network to take over the United states, be interesting to see what the middle Africans do when the trouble starts

[nerdknight01]

¡ Hi ! ¡ RAST YOU ALWAYS CREATED AMAZING UPDATES !.

Some ideas, for start:

1-The grunt´s situation is worst than originally i belived, a lot of they are seriously wounded, without war pensions and decent work, and that´s a perfect recipe for hate and violence.

2.-Omar bradley don´t it be having a druggie grunts band, he is the ultimate lord and master or of one well trained veteran´s army, and he can see with totally clarity and wisom that the economy will it be totally broken, and he want one independent estate of grunts, in short he going to be a strong player when amerca dkarkest times ocurr...

3.-Jack Reed has contacted the 28 ghosts, and he is learning about how obtain strong loyal allies and fighters from the maffia, afroamerican peoples, deseperate poor people, etc...

4.-About the future of America´s don´t forget that exist good/wise parties and political options as for the texan party, the Mae West/libertarian/intellectual N.Y. Party, etc..

5.-Something in my guts tell me, that maybe and it say again maybe how to say, for some band will obtain suporters of the farmers/country people and the other political faction a lot of the suporters maybe will it be for urban enviroments.

6.-And finnally, in a lot of tales and histories " the rescue/salvior peoples " come from the west coast, or California, what i try to say is that maybe in this case the " salviours fo America ", maybe will it be arrive for the urban city of N.Y., because many updates ago, the New Yorkers/ Mae West party sounds a bunch of wise, valiant, good people, will see...

Peace and good luck.

[rast]

I had not the advantage of a classical education, and no man should, in my judgement, accept a degree he cannot read.
(US President Millard Fillmore)

It was raining since two days now, there were puddles everywhere on roads and fields. It was stuffy and hot; Ernie Pyle was sweating all over without experiencing cooling. It was decidedly too warm for November, even here in sub-tropical Pensacola, Florida; and there was no sea wind to bring relaxation. Drying his forehead with a handkerchief, Ernie watched a flock of people wade through the puddles. They were coming to hear Saint Alvin preach. About one third of them were Negroes. Saint Alvin did not make distinctions between black and white, but called for racial equality. That was one of the reasons why Ernie had applied for an interview with the Saint.

Ernie Pyle wouldn’t have been Ernie Pyle if he hadn’t known even the tiniest details about Saint Alvin. The man was a living American legend: war hero, disgruntled grunt, bandit, warrior, spiritual leader. That someone like Alvin York should teach brotherliness and non-violence was one of the afterwits of history. – However, Ernie still had some doubts about this abnegation of violence. The KKK blokes he had seen in the infirmary at Montgomery, Alabama, did tell quite a different story...

The KKK didn’t like Saint Alvin’s message at all; especially the part about racial equality stung deeply. Ernie had already talked to some people believed to be closely affiliated with the Klan; they were incensed, very incensed about the Saint and his constituency. Therefore, the attack on Saint Alvin’s entourage in Montgomery hardly had been a surprise. – Rather the outcome had been unexpected; at least to folks not so familiar with the Saint’s past like Ernie...

Thus, Ernie had the impression that the Saint’s message of non-violence was just pleaded in order to mislead the public. He thought that the old marksman and blackjack Alvin York was still there – and was only disseminating disinformation about his dovishness as a kind of war ruse. He looked forward to interviewing the man, because he was sure he could find out. – He already had interviewed York before; the first time after his epic escape from Mexican captivity during the GSC; the second time during the recent biker gangs’ adventure in Mexico.

The service had started now. People we singing and swinging. Ernie liked the music. He took a mental note to find out who was the composer and who was directing the chorus. After about a quarter of an hour, Saint Alvin took the stage. The bloke had gained some weight, but he still was a hunky piece of masculinity. Just wearing a waistcloth, he was exposing his adult male body to general view. – But Ernie, to his perplexity, soon realised that this was irrelevant. The Saint was telling his story; he was not flirting with sexual moments or any other worldly issue...

After the church was over – and after the Saint had shaken hands with every visitor, Ernie casually strolled into the little tent, into which York had retreated after inviting him with a nod of his head.
“Hi, Alvin, that was very impressive!”
The Saint was just shuffling on long trousers.
“Ernie! Glad to see you here. – Have a seat! I’ll be ready in a minute.”
A camp chair was waiting for Ernie. York finished dressing and released his helpers, then he took place in a second canvas chair.

“Well, Alvin, I have to confess that your message has been shaking me. – But, I’ve been in Montgomery – and I’ve seen the Klan dudes, who ran into your goon squads... – How does this fit your teachings?”
The Saint smiled serenely.
“It fits perfectly well, Ernie. – The Lord orders us to live together peacefully, but those who are possessed by Satan do not heed the Lord’s volition. – Either they abjure the Evil Fiend – or they shall perish!”

“Mh, Alvin, - I wouldn’t mind if the Klan perished. But you are aware that they have close ties to the current administration in Washington?”
Again, the Saint smiled peacefully.
“Oh yes, Ernie, I do know that... – and I do know who is Satan’s proconsul on this world... – His name is McAdoo...”

[Jotun]

First of all, Frohe Weihnachten to everybody here

Second: Alvin f***ing York has his sights set on the President of the United States? How cool is that??

[trekchu]

If the worst possible outcome happens (and I wouldn't be surprised if it did) then we see at least a six-way collapse and assorted unpleasantness.

[Expat]

Now I know what *I* want for Christmas

[wietze]

Originally Posted by Expat

Now I know what *I* want for Christmas

A balkanised america?