2003 In Reflection
With the end of 2003 coming, many were reflecting on the tenure of President Gore. Many were confident that he would be re-elected and that they would be voting for him. His successes starting from 9/11 won him attention and respect from many voters and the fact that he was a scandal-free president for the most part helped. It did mean that outrage had to be pointed at elsewhere and that was at the corporations. The corporate scandals and financial chicanery became the main talking point as there was little else to discuss abroad the world after Osama Bin Laden was captured so early. Other talking points was on Gore's growing stances on his green policies. He was implementing them more and more, working to get stronger protections for the air and water quality as well as working to address issues on pollution, climate change and protection of national parks and working with legislation to curtail pollution from companies. Currently, there was plans to try and get a carbon tax of sorts up, but it was becoming difficult to try and promote a tax increase, at least in the current time. For the most part though, modest green proposals and stricter regulations were currently making things content while Gore worked on his longer-term plans to ensure those protections would not be removed when he would leave office. Fortunately, working with the "GOP Greens" as they were called, was pushing back the ideal of climate change and environmental protection back into bipartisan deals, though holdouts remained more in the conservative wings of the party. The economy was humming along and things were going all right. Some of the more progressive politicians were becoming a bit frustrated with Gore, but were being reassured that Gore was working on some larger projects, some that would bring major results.
Perhaps the big news of 2003 was the long-awaited audit of the Pentagon as well as the Department of Defense. Time was given for operations within Afghanistan to end before proceeding to the audit, but even before hand, President Gore was preparing to do so, especially with the news received in regards to the mishandling rumors. While much of the details remained understandable classified, the fact that several billions of dollars in transactions were not accounted for served as a firestorm for the media. While some attempted to blame Gore for this, Gore responded with the growing laxness of regulations that could oversee such transactions and pointing to the massive increase of military spending under Reagan. Under pressure of their constituents, bipartisan sessions were held and ultimately new budgets and several trials and investigations were held by the Gore administration. Various consultants were hired as the Department of Defense and Pentagon were being examined. Gore portrayed the whole manner on ways to ensure that the money would be used correctly. Indeed, pay increases for various levels of the military, especially the lower ranks, were granted, which won more favor among the conservatives for Gore. Unsurprisingly, Gore also tied climate change into it, but more so how much of a polluting problem the military can be and while some found it exasperating, the lessening complaints showed people were coming around more to what he was saying, especially with the increasing bipartisan attitude toward climate change.
Speaking of climate change, that became one of the primary objectives of Al Gore in his foreign policy, best seen with his interactions with President Lula of Brazil, elected early 2003. The two, while having different ideas in policy, both did share the important values for the environment, especially with the Amazon Rainforest. The focus would become on sustainable agriculture and moving away from products that would require cutting down parts of the forest. Gore's backing on this also allowed for the UN to assist in this regard. While the Amazon did belong to Brazil, Gore's credentials of walking the talk did sway Lula and discussions on sustainability would assist, with the US willing to assist Brazil financially on this. Regarding South America, Gore also noted the growing strikes in Venezuela. While not wanting to be truly involved in the foreign politics, the fact that the crux of the issue laid in oil meant that there was something to be had here. As such, in late January, Al Gore paid a visit to Venezuela, wishing to speak with Chavez. Though the session was short, Al Gore did come out and responded in term to the situation. He noted on how the country suffered gridlock from the lack of production of a single supply and noted if they as a people, really wanted to be dependent on oil, especially if disaster happened that would lower the cost of oil. He also noted how Chavez's hostility to the strike seem to go against socialist rhetoric. While Gore was against sanctions against Venezuela, Gore's famous stance on being against oil did worry the nation a bit though Chavez asked did ask what Gore would do to tackle the oil crisis.
Chavez would get that answer and be in surprise like the rest of the world was in the upcoming months.
Meanwhile, pop culture began seeing growing changes under the Gore Administration. Besides Captain Planet experiencing a revival of popularity, more shows began examining climate change, albeit either comically or seriously. Successful films such as Lord of the Rings Return of the King and Pirates of the Caribbean showed a revival in the fantasy genre. Notably, Return of the King returning to theaters with an extended ending showing the Hobbits reclaiming their home from the industrial warmachines of Saruman. While some were surprised by this, others point out that this was an aspect within the book. Coincided with this was a failed reality TV show that would've been hosted by Donald Trump and focusing on corporations, known as The Apprentice.The show never got off the ground due to changing views on corporations which soured Trump on the whole thing. In technology, the Microsoft successors have continued to grow. MSOffice began appearing on other operating systems and they have been working on new programs, with the news that MSOffice FrontPage would continue to be made despite rumors that it may be discontinued. Skype has come out. Video games have been on the rise as Microsoft Operations and SEGA finished the merger and Dreamcast games have been ported to the Xbox, giving the console a much needed boost. The first exclusive came out, known as Sonic Heroes, introducing some old favorite characters. It also showed the beginnings of influence that the new fresh batch of designers and programmers came as the game was delayed to perfect levels (as some of the levels were deemed too long or tedious) and models were tweaked for the optimal experience. Many saw this as the beginnings of a triumphant return for Sonic the Hedgehog on his new home.
However, as things go into 2004, few would know that one of Gore's greatest projects would come to fruitation...