WestVirginiaRebel
Banned
March 19, 1976-Takin' It To The Streets, Michael McDonald's first solo album since the breakup of the Doobie Brothers following the death of Tom Johnston due to complications from a bleeding ulcer the year before, is released.
May 31, 1976-What A Country, a road-trip comedy starring Andy Kaufman and a young Yakoff Smirnoff as newly arrived Russian immigrants in contemporary America, is released. Although Kaufman, in his "Foreign Man" persona, is the lead character, Smirnoff, who emigrated to the U.S. in 1970 and was encouraged to go into acting by another recent immigrant, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is the film's breakout star, as much of the film's humor comes from his observations about American life, particularly the hard times that many are going through, leading to his famous catch-phrase, "America-What a Country!" The film receives positive reviews and becomes one of the year's biggest hits.
June 1, 1976-Jimmy Hoffa comes out of hiding to lead a nationwide trucker's strike over the proposed National Transportation Revitilzation and Reform Bill, saying that the legislation, if passed after the election, would kill the American trucking industry in favor of the railways. Although there is little actual violence, National Guard troops are stationed along some of the country's busiest interstates and freeways in coordination with various state police forces. He also expresses support for Spiro Agnew as an independent Presidential candidate, saying, "He's a real patriot, a real American, and if the courts had any guts they'd let him run!"
June 5, 1976-In a rare public speech, which is meant for foreign audiences and not seen or heard by most Chinese, Mao Yuanxin effectively declares China's isolationist policy, saying, "We have achieved internal peace and security through continuing the principals of the Revolution and the Great Plan that has been laid out for us as the Chairman's vision. We care not what the other countries of the world, who are mired in poverty, corruption, and war, do, so long as they do not bother us. We will continue on our own course, to determine our own destiny."
NOTE: I couldn't remember if Hoffa had been killed in TTL or not; but I think he went into hiding, so here's an update on his whereabouts. Also on the possible status of Agnew's attempts to get on the ballot (although the clock is ticking at this point!)
Also, Smirnoff didn't come to the U.S. until 1977 OTL, so I decided to give his career a boost by letting him come earlier.
May 31, 1976-What A Country, a road-trip comedy starring Andy Kaufman and a young Yakoff Smirnoff as newly arrived Russian immigrants in contemporary America, is released. Although Kaufman, in his "Foreign Man" persona, is the lead character, Smirnoff, who emigrated to the U.S. in 1970 and was encouraged to go into acting by another recent immigrant, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is the film's breakout star, as much of the film's humor comes from his observations about American life, particularly the hard times that many are going through, leading to his famous catch-phrase, "America-What a Country!" The film receives positive reviews and becomes one of the year's biggest hits.
June 1, 1976-Jimmy Hoffa comes out of hiding to lead a nationwide trucker's strike over the proposed National Transportation Revitilzation and Reform Bill, saying that the legislation, if passed after the election, would kill the American trucking industry in favor of the railways. Although there is little actual violence, National Guard troops are stationed along some of the country's busiest interstates and freeways in coordination with various state police forces. He also expresses support for Spiro Agnew as an independent Presidential candidate, saying, "He's a real patriot, a real American, and if the courts had any guts they'd let him run!"
June 5, 1976-In a rare public speech, which is meant for foreign audiences and not seen or heard by most Chinese, Mao Yuanxin effectively declares China's isolationist policy, saying, "We have achieved internal peace and security through continuing the principals of the Revolution and the Great Plan that has been laid out for us as the Chairman's vision. We care not what the other countries of the world, who are mired in poverty, corruption, and war, do, so long as they do not bother us. We will continue on our own course, to determine our own destiny."
NOTE: I couldn't remember if Hoffa had been killed in TTL or not; but I think he went into hiding, so here's an update on his whereabouts. Also on the possible status of Agnew's attempts to get on the ballot (although the clock is ticking at this point!)
Also, Smirnoff didn't come to the U.S. until 1977 OTL, so I decided to give his career a boost by letting him come earlier.
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