alternatehistory.com
Gore Administration- Autumn 2002
Since I have a couple days off, y'all get more of this. Sorry if this seems pretty light, but I'm still new at this and I would welcome input and some suggestions here. And to clarify, the LA Airport shooting of 2002 did not happen, due a combination of factors such as Bin Laden's capture as well as Gore's own speech on the failures of the terrorists' goals. The election stuff will be on another post.
Fall 2002
"It's been a year since that tragedy... But Gore got them before year's end and our brave men and women are cleaning up the stragglers over in Afghanistan. Thank you President Gore. You made America hope again."
"Not surprising the results though that close call with Senator Wellstone was a bit of a surprise, thank goodness he is all right. Unsurprisingly, Democrats have managed to gain a bit more holding in these elections."
"I don't think Gore will take us into Iraq. Not without a good reason. He ain't that sort of man and we all know that."
"We all knew President Gore was gonna support that Climate Change march. That's the new term they're gonna use."
September marked the first annviersary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attack. For the USA, it is a time of mourning the lives lost from the attacks, but also a time for celeberating the strength of the nation and for them to move forward. Osama Bin laden was long dead along with most of the members of Al-Queda's leadership, with the last "stronghold" being somewhere within Iraq. Despite calls for invasion of the nation, the administration refused. After all, whiel Saddam Hussein was a paranoid maniac, he was one whom suspected anything that was a threat, which included Al-Queda. There was a bit of hope that perhaps they would end up doing the job of ending Al-Queda's presence in Iraq for them. In the meanwhile, most of the repairs to the Twin Towers were done and a special monument to those who lost their lives to that was constructed in a new plaza, including a stone memorial with all the names of those who were lost on that day. However, for those in office, there was a darker leaning within the day of the attack. And that was the growing suspicion against their Saudi allies in regards to the attacks. The Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities before and after the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001 began exploring more into the causes and while the final report may have been due over into the end of the year, the shadow looming over it becasue of the surviving members providing evidence meant that it became troublesome to confront. The 1976 Act would provide some protection, but it would ultimately all onto President Gore to decide on what to do. And Gore himself was conflicted. Saudi Arabia was a vital ally within the Middle East, but the list of controversey associated with the petrochemical dictatorship was growing and his own green nuances meant that he would wish to part ways from them. Evidence would be needed or at least a larger incident. The prelimnary reports suggested that if there was Saudi involvement, it was not from the highest echelons. The most likely explanation was that they acted independently of the Saudi Royal Family, but it was not much comfort to say the least. Fortunately, there was not much talks of it, but when they would release the report next year, they know there would be some coming to deal with. They would need to be ready.
9/11 Memorial Plaque found within the various buildings
While the elections were coming and going for the House, Senate and gubernationals, many politicians, talk show hosts and pundits were debating on what laid next for America. Rumors began speculating about Iraq, due to the calls of a coalition of certain conservatives, calling for more pre-empative actions against them. Others wanted to continue the tradition of sanctions and waiting for them to do the first move. While there was an agreement of something needing to be done about Iraq, Al Gore was not one to do so without the proper channels. There would not be much domestic support nor reason for doing so. He wished to maintain attention in Afghanistan for the time being. Most of the Al-Queda and Taliban insurgents had been dealt with and work was being done more to try and rebuild the nation. The main issue laid in the purchase of opium for that of heroin. Talks have led to within the European Union to try and de-criminalize it. The ultimate test meanwhile came with Portugal, who decided to decrminalize all the drugs. While more then a few decried this radical policy, after a year, the signs were showing it was working. The idea and calls for treating drug users as victims of sickness began spreading more across the nation and even Al Gore began taking note. If all of Europe decriminalized the drugs alongside the United States and even China, it would be a strong step. After all, if the value of opium for heroin was from its consumers, then attacking its value would de-incentivize Afghani farmers from farming it. Though at the same time, the idea of legalizing it for the purposes of medical properties was another possibility. However, the focus was also remaining at home. Elizabeth Smart remained missing and the Beltway Sniper Attacks was an unwelcome fear in October, though one that would be resolved with the capture of the culprits involved.
Picture of US Capital, 2002
Not everything was peachy-keen however. While the Snipers would be stopped and Elizabeth Smart rescued, there was still a growing bit of discontent. Rumors circulated that the potential for war in Iraq would be for oil companies and perhaps Al Gore's presence made those rumors spread more and be considered more than it otherwise would be. The Campaign Against Climate Change was founded when the rumors of certain interest groups trying to persaude Congress to have the US back off of the Kyoto Protocol and their march was held in late fall od 2002. President Al Gore addressed them and indeed the new term of "climate change" would replace the word of "global warming". While the usual calls for recycling and keeping air and water clean were pretty unified, the fossil fuel dilemna became one of a problem and Al Gore began planning a way to address it. His preliminary plan would be to cut the subsidies that fossil fuel companies received by 50%, namely as a test and to try and force them to play ball. The savings from those subsidies would be divided to be used for subsidies in the research and development of renewable energy along with serving as a general tax cut. However, these plans were hamstrug by the potential threat fo retaliation from fossil fuel companies through layoffs and politicizing, not to mention interest groups on behalf of said companies influencing both political parties. Nonetheless, the development continued, being proposed as a potential tax cut and provided by eliminating "certain miscellenous finances." It seemed like in the upcoming years, there would be an inevitable showdown between the Gore Administration and their environmentalist versus the fossil fuel industry and their lobbyists.
Logo of Campaign Against Climate Change
Fall 2002
"It's been a year since that tragedy... But Gore got them before year's end and our brave men and women are cleaning up the stragglers over in Afghanistan. Thank you President Gore. You made America hope again."
"Not surprising the results though that close call with Senator Wellstone was a bit of a surprise, thank goodness he is all right. Unsurprisingly, Democrats have managed to gain a bit more holding in these elections."
"I don't think Gore will take us into Iraq. Not without a good reason. He ain't that sort of man and we all know that."
"We all knew President Gore was gonna support that Climate Change march. That's the new term they're gonna use."
September marked the first annviersary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attack. For the USA, it is a time of mourning the lives lost from the attacks, but also a time for celeberating the strength of the nation and for them to move forward. Osama Bin laden was long dead along with most of the members of Al-Queda's leadership, with the last "stronghold" being somewhere within Iraq. Despite calls for invasion of the nation, the administration refused. After all, whiel Saddam Hussein was a paranoid maniac, he was one whom suspected anything that was a threat, which included Al-Queda. There was a bit of hope that perhaps they would end up doing the job of ending Al-Queda's presence in Iraq for them. In the meanwhile, most of the repairs to the Twin Towers were done and a special monument to those who lost their lives to that was constructed in a new plaza, including a stone memorial with all the names of those who were lost on that day. However, for those in office, there was a darker leaning within the day of the attack. And that was the growing suspicion against their Saudi allies in regards to the attacks. The Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities before and after the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001 began exploring more into the causes and while the final report may have been due over into the end of the year, the shadow looming over it becasue of the surviving members providing evidence meant that it became troublesome to confront. The 1976 Act would provide some protection, but it would ultimately all onto President Gore to decide on what to do. And Gore himself was conflicted. Saudi Arabia was a vital ally within the Middle East, but the list of controversey associated with the petrochemical dictatorship was growing and his own green nuances meant that he would wish to part ways from them. Evidence would be needed or at least a larger incident. The prelimnary reports suggested that if there was Saudi involvement, it was not from the highest echelons. The most likely explanation was that they acted independently of the Saudi Royal Family, but it was not much comfort to say the least. Fortunately, there was not much talks of it, but when they would release the report next year, they know there would be some coming to deal with. They would need to be ready.
9/11 Memorial Plaque found within the various buildings
While the elections were coming and going for the House, Senate and gubernationals, many politicians, talk show hosts and pundits were debating on what laid next for America. Rumors began speculating about Iraq, due to the calls of a coalition of certain conservatives, calling for more pre-empative actions against them. Others wanted to continue the tradition of sanctions and waiting for them to do the first move. While there was an agreement of something needing to be done about Iraq, Al Gore was not one to do so without the proper channels. There would not be much domestic support nor reason for doing so. He wished to maintain attention in Afghanistan for the time being. Most of the Al-Queda and Taliban insurgents had been dealt with and work was being done more to try and rebuild the nation. The main issue laid in the purchase of opium for that of heroin. Talks have led to within the European Union to try and de-criminalize it. The ultimate test meanwhile came with Portugal, who decided to decrminalize all the drugs. While more then a few decried this radical policy, after a year, the signs were showing it was working. The idea and calls for treating drug users as victims of sickness began spreading more across the nation and even Al Gore began taking note. If all of Europe decriminalized the drugs alongside the United States and even China, it would be a strong step. After all, if the value of opium for heroin was from its consumers, then attacking its value would de-incentivize Afghani farmers from farming it. Though at the same time, the idea of legalizing it for the purposes of medical properties was another possibility. However, the focus was also remaining at home. Elizabeth Smart remained missing and the Beltway Sniper Attacks was an unwelcome fear in October, though one that would be resolved with the capture of the culprits involved.
Picture of US Capital, 2002
Not everything was peachy-keen however. While the Snipers would be stopped and Elizabeth Smart rescued, there was still a growing bit of discontent. Rumors circulated that the potential for war in Iraq would be for oil companies and perhaps Al Gore's presence made those rumors spread more and be considered more than it otherwise would be. The Campaign Against Climate Change was founded when the rumors of certain interest groups trying to persaude Congress to have the US back off of the Kyoto Protocol and their march was held in late fall od 2002. President Al Gore addressed them and indeed the new term of "climate change" would replace the word of "global warming". While the usual calls for recycling and keeping air and water clean were pretty unified, the fossil fuel dilemna became one of a problem and Al Gore began planning a way to address it. His preliminary plan would be to cut the subsidies that fossil fuel companies received by 50%, namely as a test and to try and force them to play ball. The savings from those subsidies would be divided to be used for subsidies in the research and development of renewable energy along with serving as a general tax cut. However, these plans were hamstrug by the potential threat fo retaliation from fossil fuel companies through layoffs and politicizing, not to mention interest groups on behalf of said companies influencing both political parties. Nonetheless, the development continued, being proposed as a potential tax cut and provided by eliminating "certain miscellenous finances." It seemed like in the upcoming years, there would be an inevitable showdown between the Gore Administration and their environmentalist versus the fossil fuel industry and their lobbyists.
Logo of Campaign Against Climate Change
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