alternatehistory.com
Gore Administration- Spring 2002
Given how we're approaching a bit more a slowdown, I'll be progressing by seasons, least until the 2002 Election time... that's gonne be tough.
"I did not expect the drug war to be fought in Afghanistan in all places. Comparing it to moonshinin' though... is that really right?"
"This strategy embodies much on how we percieve President Al Gore... calm, methodical, rational, collected... he does what he needs to do to get the job done and do it right the first time. Bush would've bungled it up in my opinion."
"Corporations as the bad guys in media will become more commonplace with these scandals. I mean, who's gonna be next after Enron?"
Spring 2002
The beginning of spring in the United States begins with the traditional elements of spring... the growing of trees and the blooming of flowers. Perhaps it was this Al Gore had in mind with Afghanistan. The blooming of liberal principles over in Afghanistan with Operation Root. Initially called Operation Anaconda, the plan was renamed as part of some changes requested in by the Gore Administration, namely in greater assistance in the reestablishment of infrastructure. The hope was that in doing so, it would prevent long term problems and dent the opium boom that had gotten in the area. However, the research being brought indicated that since much of the opium turned into heroin is used abroad in Europe and the United States. The target is gradually being shifted into trying to dissuade buyers as by doing so, the financial propsects of the plant plummet. Some wonder where this growing shift in thinking could lead to over time. Al Gore was many things and being meticulous and calculating was one of them. The month of March was devoted to ensuring the complete disruption of the Taliban insurgency and remnants of Al-Queda within the region. Perhaps assisting this was Al Gore's own words to Osama Bin Laden in the trial, regarding the failures of the so-called calpihates in providing adequate care, infrastructure and so on for a proper civilization and their lack of commitment to doing so. As such, Operation Root took place mostly in March with some leftover forces left in the upcoming months to clean up and assist in the repair of infrastructure and hopefully gather more intel to end the chokehold of opium.
U.S. special forces help Northern Alliance troops away from a CIA-operated MI-17 Hip helicopter at Bagram Airbase
Beyond the military actions of the Gore administration, Between December 2001 and April 2002, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the House Committee on Financial Services held multiple hearings about the Enron scandal and related accounting and investor protection issues. These hearings and the corporate scandals that followed Enron along with potentially other companies have been leading into plans for further acts to combat this. In fact, the Gore Administration has been broaden the examinations into various other companies, notably fossil fuel companies for potentials of corruption. They were quite subtle and thus did not stir up much attention. However, one of the large targets within the line of sight for the Gore administration was ExxonMobil, who's head lobbyist to Washington had been long arguing against the United States' inclusion in the Kyoto Protocol. Various ExxonMobil former members and data was being gathered and in the current climate of distrust of corporations, the Gore administration was enjoying a fair amount of trust from the American public in regards to the investigation. The largest benefit was in Gore's quiet style of doing so. He was not a man characterizses for his grand claims. He just did what he needed to do quietly and this style was now becoming more respected, being portrayed as silent dignity and thorough work.
Political cartoon reflecting the growing problems of corporations
Perhaps one of the largest notes of political news was on the successful implementation of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, spearheaded by Senators McCain and Feingold. Signed proudly by Al Gore, it was touted as a successful bipartisan effort to restore demcoratic power to the people and focus on removing the interest of corporations into political affairs. The hope of reducing the influence of soft money on policial advancements was not without its detractors, such as Senator McConnell. Additionally, other problems were noted within the Act such as the various loopholes and potential problems. Despite, it was lauded as a major landmark into making sure that politicians were working for the people and not for special interest groups. Various politicians had their own reasons and motivations for doing so. While Al Gore maintained the fairness, he was no fool. He knew the Act could potentially lead to further developments. It was not much of a secret of how fossil fuel companies were pouring funds into the GOP and what the influence it was having. However, if he wanted to do that, Exxon-Mobil would need to be exposed. There has been some promising news though for them. All in all... it seems like everything is going well.
Political cartoon on the flaws of the McCain-Feingold Act
...
...
...
"Mr. President! Mr. President! There has been a coup in Venezuela!"
"I did not expect the drug war to be fought in Afghanistan in all places. Comparing it to moonshinin' though... is that really right?"
"This strategy embodies much on how we percieve President Al Gore... calm, methodical, rational, collected... he does what he needs to do to get the job done and do it right the first time. Bush would've bungled it up in my opinion."
"Corporations as the bad guys in media will become more commonplace with these scandals. I mean, who's gonna be next after Enron?"
Spring 2002
The beginning of spring in the United States begins with the traditional elements of spring... the growing of trees and the blooming of flowers. Perhaps it was this Al Gore had in mind with Afghanistan. The blooming of liberal principles over in Afghanistan with Operation Root. Initially called Operation Anaconda, the plan was renamed as part of some changes requested in by the Gore Administration, namely in greater assistance in the reestablishment of infrastructure. The hope was that in doing so, it would prevent long term problems and dent the opium boom that had gotten in the area. However, the research being brought indicated that since much of the opium turned into heroin is used abroad in Europe and the United States. The target is gradually being shifted into trying to dissuade buyers as by doing so, the financial propsects of the plant plummet. Some wonder where this growing shift in thinking could lead to over time. Al Gore was many things and being meticulous and calculating was one of them. The month of March was devoted to ensuring the complete disruption of the Taliban insurgency and remnants of Al-Queda within the region. Perhaps assisting this was Al Gore's own words to Osama Bin Laden in the trial, regarding the failures of the so-called calpihates in providing adequate care, infrastructure and so on for a proper civilization and their lack of commitment to doing so. As such, Operation Root took place mostly in March with some leftover forces left in the upcoming months to clean up and assist in the repair of infrastructure and hopefully gather more intel to end the chokehold of opium.
U.S. special forces help Northern Alliance troops away from a CIA-operated MI-17 Hip helicopter at Bagram Airbase
Beyond the military actions of the Gore administration, Between December 2001 and April 2002, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the House Committee on Financial Services held multiple hearings about the Enron scandal and related accounting and investor protection issues. These hearings and the corporate scandals that followed Enron along with potentially other companies have been leading into plans for further acts to combat this. In fact, the Gore Administration has been broaden the examinations into various other companies, notably fossil fuel companies for potentials of corruption. They were quite subtle and thus did not stir up much attention. However, one of the large targets within the line of sight for the Gore administration was ExxonMobil, who's head lobbyist to Washington had been long arguing against the United States' inclusion in the Kyoto Protocol. Various ExxonMobil former members and data was being gathered and in the current climate of distrust of corporations, the Gore administration was enjoying a fair amount of trust from the American public in regards to the investigation. The largest benefit was in Gore's quiet style of doing so. He was not a man characterizses for his grand claims. He just did what he needed to do quietly and this style was now becoming more respected, being portrayed as silent dignity and thorough work.
Political cartoon reflecting the growing problems of corporations
Perhaps one of the largest notes of political news was on the successful implementation of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, spearheaded by Senators McCain and Feingold. Signed proudly by Al Gore, it was touted as a successful bipartisan effort to restore demcoratic power to the people and focus on removing the interest of corporations into political affairs. The hope of reducing the influence of soft money on policial advancements was not without its detractors, such as Senator McConnell. Additionally, other problems were noted within the Act such as the various loopholes and potential problems. Despite, it was lauded as a major landmark into making sure that politicians were working for the people and not for special interest groups. Various politicians had their own reasons and motivations for doing so. While Al Gore maintained the fairness, he was no fool. He knew the Act could potentially lead to further developments. It was not much of a secret of how fossil fuel companies were pouring funds into the GOP and what the influence it was having. However, if he wanted to do that, Exxon-Mobil would need to be exposed. There has been some promising news though for them. All in all... it seems like everything is going well.
Political cartoon on the flaws of the McCain-Feingold Act
...
...
...
"Mr. President! Mr. President! There has been a coup in Venezuela!"
- CountDVB
- Word Count: 870