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McCain Administration Autumn 2011
Autumn 2011
"Hurricanes and wildfires, ho man..."
"RIP Steve Jobs..."
"Boldly go, Mars Rover"
The end of summer and the beginning of fall came about, yet it proved that the beginning of the new decade was still filled with surprises, the bad kind of surprises for many people though... The end of August saw some more storms come about to cause trouble for the East Coast. And that was through Hurricane Irene, a rare hurricane that drove North up the mid-atlantic and Northeast coast. 9 million homes lose power. Total Caribbean and U. S. fatalities and flooding damage are 55 dead and US$10 billion respectively. The New England state of Vermont suffers its worst flooding in 100 years. Overall, the storm was a brutal pain for people to overcome and added troubles for people struggling in a sluggish economy, especially since it seemed the stimulus package did little, with the McCain Administration being pressured to try and do another stimulus package on the economy alongside with more assistance for the storms. Furthermore, there were more disasters beyond the wrath of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The Bastrop County Complex fire was the most destructive wildfire in Texas history, striking areas of Bastrop County in September and October 2011. The vitriolic reaction toward the government because of budget cuts for services while conflicts for FEMA occured as a result. This unsurprisingly set off trouble over for the political sides as trying to decide how much is enough for this. The bipartisanship is cracking from the disaster though for now, there was no populist yet to rock the boat for now. There were some voices growing for reform such as Senators Obama, Sanders and Feingold calling for more to be done and stoking the flames of frustration at the government. Furthermore, there was the fact for who would be running for presidency. Perhaps out of fear for losing the White House after such a short time, the Republicans worked to maintain unity though with the growing number of younger ecoconservatives and former Democrats, said unity was achieved by going further center. Democrats meanwhile saw the cracks develop further between the moderates and the growing progressives. It was 10 years since 9/11 and while most of those years seemed alight with optimism and hope from the Gore Administration, the McCain Administration seemed to be haunted with disasters they were not handling because of ideological policy though some questioned whethered Gore would've done better...
CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the Texas Army National Guard using Bambi Bucket to dump water on a blaze near Bastrop; September 6, 2011.
As people struggle and pick up from the scene, some starlingly tech news hits the mainstream. That of the death of Apple founder, Steve Jobs. With the death of such an industry magnate especially being only 56, it sent bombshells. Many have wondered if anything could've been done regarding his health though some noted that Jobs' health was likely impacted by the Great Recession related to stress along with managing Pixar with his work in Apple. Unsurprisingly, his death sent a shockwave of condolences and grievances were sent by people who knew Jobs and the nation at large. Unsurprisingly it included big names like Steve Wozniak, who noted that he began repairing his friendship with Steve Jobs after multiple meetings and invitations during the Gore Adminsitration's meetings for the various tech heads and newcomers to discuss the growing importance of computers and the internet and by his death, they were closer than they had been in many years and thus part of the small private funeral for Jobs. Speaking of, former President Gore also sent words of kindness on his passing while President McCain himself announced condolences. Disney themselves had the flags lowered in half-mast in respect over Jobs and discussions over the future of Pixar was being discussed overall with it along with future endeavors. Lucas was invited to take on a more predominant role back at Pixar, which he declined though he did not he would give some input on who should come next. Notably, John Lasseter declined from the role and James "Jim" Morris would become the new CEO of Pixar for the time being. Pixar noted it would maintain its professional relationship with Disney though the issue regarding Lasseter did mean that more than a few Pixar animators and associated joined up with Disney to help bolster their CGI-specific animation studio, formerly known as Circle 7 Animation. Initially planned to create Pixar sequels in the event of a potential Disney-Pixar fallout (avoided due to Eisner being forced out with Iger taking over, but cirumstances leading to contract negotiations rather than fully purchasing the company, giving Pixar a better deal to avoid losing them), they instead served as "back-up" animators for Pixar films though they did release various shorts and played a key role in Wally's Secret Life's CGI aspect though Pixar got more credit. Disney released Pixar's The Incredibles II this year, and the final film that Jobs oversaw as Pixar. It focused on Helen Parr regarding heroics while Bob was with reconnecting with his kids; both dealing with the Super Relocation Act, the film was a large critique of McCarthyism, propaganda and the industrial-military complex, through its two villains, Mezmerella, a powerful hypnotist and archenemy of Elastigirl along with Xerek, a two hundred year old criminal kingpin who was implied to have been a financial backer of Syndrome. The film served as a strong reassurance given to employees and fans that cooperation would remain well between the two companies.
Flags flying at half-staff outside Apple HQ in Cupertino, on the evening of Jobs' death
Throughout the chaos and disaster, there was a spirit of determination to try and keep moving forward and overcoing the adversity. Even with the passing of Jobs, Apple contiues to go forward with innovation. Even with the budget cuts of the McCain Administration, renewable energy technologies and other ecologically friendly solutions are being researched. And more of all, the search for the quest into space has not yet been lost. This is seen with NASA launching the Mars Science Laboratory into space. A robotic space probe mission, the craft is carrying with it the new Mars rover, Curiosity. The overall objectives include investigating Mars' habitability, studying its climate and geology, and collecting data for a human mission to Mars. The rover carries a variety of scientific instruments designed by an international team. Concerns regarding the project were discussed, but a bulk of the work was done under the Gore Adminsitration and finishing touches put upon before the Recession so as such, they were so close to completion that the McCain Administration noted that cancelling would mean all the money already put in would be for naught. The lab and rover was launched, witht he expected landing being summer of the next year.
Mars Science Laboratory in final assembly
"Hurricanes and wildfires, ho man..."
"RIP Steve Jobs..."
"Boldly go, Mars Rover"
The end of summer and the beginning of fall came about, yet it proved that the beginning of the new decade was still filled with surprises, the bad kind of surprises for many people though... The end of August saw some more storms come about to cause trouble for the East Coast. And that was through Hurricane Irene, a rare hurricane that drove North up the mid-atlantic and Northeast coast. 9 million homes lose power. Total Caribbean and U. S. fatalities and flooding damage are 55 dead and US$10 billion respectively. The New England state of Vermont suffers its worst flooding in 100 years. Overall, the storm was a brutal pain for people to overcome and added troubles for people struggling in a sluggish economy, especially since it seemed the stimulus package did little, with the McCain Administration being pressured to try and do another stimulus package on the economy alongside with more assistance for the storms. Furthermore, there were more disasters beyond the wrath of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The Bastrop County Complex fire was the most destructive wildfire in Texas history, striking areas of Bastrop County in September and October 2011. The vitriolic reaction toward the government because of budget cuts for services while conflicts for FEMA occured as a result. This unsurprisingly set off trouble over for the political sides as trying to decide how much is enough for this. The bipartisanship is cracking from the disaster though for now, there was no populist yet to rock the boat for now. There were some voices growing for reform such as Senators Obama, Sanders and Feingold calling for more to be done and stoking the flames of frustration at the government. Furthermore, there was the fact for who would be running for presidency. Perhaps out of fear for losing the White House after such a short time, the Republicans worked to maintain unity though with the growing number of younger ecoconservatives and former Democrats, said unity was achieved by going further center. Democrats meanwhile saw the cracks develop further between the moderates and the growing progressives. It was 10 years since 9/11 and while most of those years seemed alight with optimism and hope from the Gore Administration, the McCain Administration seemed to be haunted with disasters they were not handling because of ideological policy though some questioned whethered Gore would've done better...
CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the Texas Army National Guard using Bambi Bucket to dump water on a blaze near Bastrop; September 6, 2011.
As people struggle and pick up from the scene, some starlingly tech news hits the mainstream. That of the death of Apple founder, Steve Jobs. With the death of such an industry magnate especially being only 56, it sent bombshells. Many have wondered if anything could've been done regarding his health though some noted that Jobs' health was likely impacted by the Great Recession related to stress along with managing Pixar with his work in Apple. Unsurprisingly, his death sent a shockwave of condolences and grievances were sent by people who knew Jobs and the nation at large. Unsurprisingly it included big names like Steve Wozniak, who noted that he began repairing his friendship with Steve Jobs after multiple meetings and invitations during the Gore Adminsitration's meetings for the various tech heads and newcomers to discuss the growing importance of computers and the internet and by his death, they were closer than they had been in many years and thus part of the small private funeral for Jobs. Speaking of, former President Gore also sent words of kindness on his passing while President McCain himself announced condolences. Disney themselves had the flags lowered in half-mast in respect over Jobs and discussions over the future of Pixar was being discussed overall with it along with future endeavors. Lucas was invited to take on a more predominant role back at Pixar, which he declined though he did not he would give some input on who should come next. Notably, John Lasseter declined from the role and James "Jim" Morris would become the new CEO of Pixar for the time being. Pixar noted it would maintain its professional relationship with Disney though the issue regarding Lasseter did mean that more than a few Pixar animators and associated joined up with Disney to help bolster their CGI-specific animation studio, formerly known as Circle 7 Animation. Initially planned to create Pixar sequels in the event of a potential Disney-Pixar fallout (avoided due to Eisner being forced out with Iger taking over, but cirumstances leading to contract negotiations rather than fully purchasing the company, giving Pixar a better deal to avoid losing them), they instead served as "back-up" animators for Pixar films though they did release various shorts and played a key role in Wally's Secret Life's CGI aspect though Pixar got more credit. Disney released Pixar's The Incredibles II this year, and the final film that Jobs oversaw as Pixar. It focused on Helen Parr regarding heroics while Bob was with reconnecting with his kids; both dealing with the Super Relocation Act, the film was a large critique of McCarthyism, propaganda and the industrial-military complex, through its two villains, Mezmerella, a powerful hypnotist and archenemy of Elastigirl along with Xerek, a two hundred year old criminal kingpin who was implied to have been a financial backer of Syndrome. The film served as a strong reassurance given to employees and fans that cooperation would remain well between the two companies.
Flags flying at half-staff outside Apple HQ in Cupertino, on the evening of Jobs' death
Throughout the chaos and disaster, there was a spirit of determination to try and keep moving forward and overcoing the adversity. Even with the passing of Jobs, Apple contiues to go forward with innovation. Even with the budget cuts of the McCain Administration, renewable energy technologies and other ecologically friendly solutions are being researched. And more of all, the search for the quest into space has not yet been lost. This is seen with NASA launching the Mars Science Laboratory into space. A robotic space probe mission, the craft is carrying with it the new Mars rover, Curiosity. The overall objectives include investigating Mars' habitability, studying its climate and geology, and collecting data for a human mission to Mars. The rover carries a variety of scientific instruments designed by an international team. Concerns regarding the project were discussed, but a bulk of the work was done under the Gore Adminsitration and finishing touches put upon before the Recession so as such, they were so close to completion that the McCain Administration noted that cancelling would mean all the money already put in would be for naught. The lab and rover was launched, witht he expected landing being summer of the next year.
Mars Science Laboratory in final assembly
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