alternatehistory.com
Gore Administration- Autumn 2003
Fall 2003
"I think this was the most interested people got in copyright since the stuff with Napster a couple years back. Actually kinda interesting though."
"Schwarzenegger as a governor... for people typically complaining on "Hollytood types", Republican voters sure like voting them in..."
"On the one hand, Al Gore has a way of saying alot of stuff is connected to climate change... on the other hand, when he explains it to you, he's not exactly wrong..."
Within September, the Public Domain Enhancement Act (PDEA) had been finalized and passed on bipartisan grounds. Despite the surprising long debates, the actual process was pretty smooth. The copyright cut-off date, at least for most works, was moved from 1923 to 1948, restoring many American classics into the public domain, mostly literature though plenty of orphaned science fiction films also made their way there. A website had then been created to help keep track of what works would be released into the public domain. While most of the news came and went, several names did appear. One was the Burroughs estate, who fought against the legislation given it would mean the greater loss of control with the Tarzan and John Carter of Mars. Another series was the original Tom Swift series though its successors remained within copyright. However, the many of the works of A. Merrit along with some works by James Grover Thurber entered the public domain as well various orphaned works. Additionally, work was being done for people fo orphaned works to get up and correctly claimed any orphaned works with paperwork. Many young and upcoming authors took the opportunity to begin reading these new additions to the PD and examining what could be made into new works and so on.
However, this minor bit of news was overshadowed by more prominent news in California. A recall election would lead to a new governor being elected in California, none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger. Beyond congratulating him for his victory, Governor Schwarzenegger would be invited over to the White House and discuss matters regarding climate change and renwable energies. This was prominent given the drier conditions of California and how great actions would need to be taken to deal with the rest of the nation and the world as a whole when dealing with these issues. Perhaps the first step seen was on the Cedar Fire. Al Gore insisted on the use of military assets to assist in putting out the fires and reforming the "cutoff" rule in order to get more areial assistance for the fires. Many have noted that things could have been worse. President Gore of course took it as part of his pattern on climate chage, explaining the importance of forests in combatting climate change alongside the growing drier conditions that would lead to more dangerous forest fires.
Celeberation of California's new governor.
Beyond that, matters kept progressing. Corut cases involving sodomy laws and gay marriage were changing up the staus quo and the hopes were that soon, gay marriage would be recognized and legalized within the United States. Hurricane Isabel meanwhile came up and brought damage and destruction, calling into mind preparations for storms. One last footprint was the sudden death of conservative radio show Rush Limbaugh. Investigations had turned up on being addicted to illegally-gained painkillers hydrocodone and oxycodone, despite Limbaugh's own criticisms on drug abusers. According to autopsies, he increased his dosages in the last several months and showed signs of greater stress during that time. One day on October, with reports coming out about investigations on him, he ended up panicking. He took a few too many pills and would end up collapsing down the stairs, dying overnight.
Rush Limbaugh died Octoer 9, 2003 from heart failure. Limbaugh's death from prescription drug overdose caused a backlash in regards to his hypocritical statement though some remained sympathetic due to the nature of the death itself. His legacy became further damaged as his younger brother, David Limbaugh, who was willed most of Limbaugh's possessions, would end up arrested for obstruction of justice after investigations began on him over he knowingly assisted Rush in obtaining said illict drugs. He was found guilty on both accounts and David would be sent to jail for over six years on both accounts along with losing publishing deals and no chance of bail.
"I think this was the most interested people got in copyright since the stuff with Napster a couple years back. Actually kinda interesting though."
"Schwarzenegger as a governor... for people typically complaining on "Hollytood types", Republican voters sure like voting them in..."
"On the one hand, Al Gore has a way of saying alot of stuff is connected to climate change... on the other hand, when he explains it to you, he's not exactly wrong..."
Within September, the Public Domain Enhancement Act (PDEA) had been finalized and passed on bipartisan grounds. Despite the surprising long debates, the actual process was pretty smooth. The copyright cut-off date, at least for most works, was moved from 1923 to 1948, restoring many American classics into the public domain, mostly literature though plenty of orphaned science fiction films also made their way there. A website had then been created to help keep track of what works would be released into the public domain. While most of the news came and went, several names did appear. One was the Burroughs estate, who fought against the legislation given it would mean the greater loss of control with the Tarzan and John Carter of Mars. Another series was the original Tom Swift series though its successors remained within copyright. However, the many of the works of A. Merrit along with some works by James Grover Thurber entered the public domain as well various orphaned works. Additionally, work was being done for people fo orphaned works to get up and correctly claimed any orphaned works with paperwork. Many young and upcoming authors took the opportunity to begin reading these new additions to the PD and examining what could be made into new works and so on.
However, this minor bit of news was overshadowed by more prominent news in California. A recall election would lead to a new governor being elected in California, none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger. Beyond congratulating him for his victory, Governor Schwarzenegger would be invited over to the White House and discuss matters regarding climate change and renwable energies. This was prominent given the drier conditions of California and how great actions would need to be taken to deal with the rest of the nation and the world as a whole when dealing with these issues. Perhaps the first step seen was on the Cedar Fire. Al Gore insisted on the use of military assets to assist in putting out the fires and reforming the "cutoff" rule in order to get more areial assistance for the fires. Many have noted that things could have been worse. President Gore of course took it as part of his pattern on climate chage, explaining the importance of forests in combatting climate change alongside the growing drier conditions that would lead to more dangerous forest fires.
Celeberation of California's new governor.
Beyond that, matters kept progressing. Corut cases involving sodomy laws and gay marriage were changing up the staus quo and the hopes were that soon, gay marriage would be recognized and legalized within the United States. Hurricane Isabel meanwhile came up and brought damage and destruction, calling into mind preparations for storms. One last footprint was the sudden death of conservative radio show Rush Limbaugh. Investigations had turned up on being addicted to illegally-gained painkillers hydrocodone and oxycodone, despite Limbaugh's own criticisms on drug abusers. According to autopsies, he increased his dosages in the last several months and showed signs of greater stress during that time. One day on October, with reports coming out about investigations on him, he ended up panicking. He took a few too many pills and would end up collapsing down the stairs, dying overnight.
Rush Limbaugh died Octoer 9, 2003 from heart failure. Limbaugh's death from prescription drug overdose caused a backlash in regards to his hypocritical statement though some remained sympathetic due to the nature of the death itself. His legacy became further damaged as his younger brother, David Limbaugh, who was willed most of Limbaugh's possessions, would end up arrested for obstruction of justice after investigations began on him over he knowingly assisted Rush in obtaining said illict drugs. He was found guilty on both accounts and David would be sent to jail for over six years on both accounts along with losing publishing deals and no chance of bail.
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