maverick
Banned
This just seems dystopic, but if we put events in a balance, this decade is still a utopia of things falling into the right place compared to say, the 8 years that go between 1932 and 1940, for example.
A World Of Laughter, A World Of Tears
- Thread starter statichaos
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This just seems dystopic, but if we put events in a balance, this decade is still a utopia of things falling into the right place compared to say, the 8 years that go between 1932 and 1940, for example.
CBS REPORTER ACCUSES CAPITOL POLICE OF "BRUTALITY"
Washington, D.C.- CBS reporter Mike Wallace accused Capitol Police officers of "brutality" following his arrest on charges of failure to disperse during the riots proceeding from the alleged assassination attempt against Presidents Disney and Stennis last Friday. Mr. Wallace further stated that his first amendment rights were violated by said officers, and that the police had used "thuggish tactics" against him and his fellow reporters in the chaos immediately following the inauguration.
-Washington Post, 1/17/61
"You go ahead and tell Congress to remember who gave 'em a President who won't veto every social program that comes his way. Remind 'em that we're in a state of emergency in this country, and that we're going to have to take some ugly-looking measures before we get back to normal, hell, if we're ever going to get there.
"First one out the door is going to be the Negro Relocation Funding Act. After that, it's going to be the Security Zone Act. Before we can do anything else, we have to clamp down on the student radicals. Tell Hoover to get his ass in here so we can deal with the damn terrorists."
-President John Stennis, quoted in Straight Furrow: The Presidency of John C. Stennis, William Pierce, 1976
As I listened to the BBC News services in between feverish bouts of writing, I realized that our merry gang had managed to extricate itself from the shores of the benighted United States in the proverbial nick of time. The loathsome "Relocation Funding" bill had passed, promising a mess of pottage to whatever unfortunate dark-skinned citizens were willing to sell their birthright and move to another country. The capital itself was under martial law for the moment. With the exceptions of New York and parts of California, the entire nation seemed to be caught in a delirious fever dream, not soon to awake from whatever nightmare held her in its furious grasp.
Of course, I had my own difficulties to deal with at the moment. Edward, usually a trustworthy soul, had been captivated by the discordant sounds of "Sandstorm", a group of masked youngsters who somehow managed to combine the worst elements of the barbershop quartet with the "rock" music currently so popular in the rougher areas of London. He even insisted on dragging me and Maila along to a performance by "The Quarrymen", a night that would prove to have fateful consequences. At the nightclub where they were playing, I found myself fortunately unable to hear the screeching of the young lads over the screeching of the bobbysoxers who had come to attend to them, and instead found myself a space at the bar, where I proceeded to while away the hours with a sampling of the local beverages.
The next morning, i awoke to find myself in bed next to Maila. Not to be indelicate, but this was not a novel state of affairs. What did strike me as an original element of my morning was the presence of a large, but tasteful diamond ring on her left hand. I awoke her to inquire further regarding this bauble. As it turned out, I had, after a mild overindulgence, discussed the possibility of making our domestic arrangements a more permanent and official one. Never one to miss a cue, she had insisted on taking me from the club to a local jeweler, where she had happily picked out a reasonably-priced engagement ring.
I say "reasonably priced", but indeed, I cannot think of any price too great to give me an excuse to leave that club and the screeching behind me, even if it meant the eventual loss of my freedom.
-Through A Lens Darkly: The Autobiography of Orson Welles, Orson Welles
"Boys, this is the best Valentine gift I ever got!"
-President John Stennis to his staff on the passage of the Security Zone Act, which codified into law the rights of states to establish "secure" neighborhoods for members of races deemed "open to subversion" by local governments.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE NARROWLY DEFEATS SECURITY ZONES
-Sacramento Bee, 2/28/61
"I am concerned about the confirmation of Mr. Gibbons to the post of Secretary of Labor. Mr. Gibbons was a known associate of labor leader and convicted--though pardoned--felon James Hoffa, and I believe that members of the President's cabinet should not simply be above reproach, but should avoid even the appearance of impropriety."
-Senator Kenneth Keating (R-NY), speech from the Senate floor, 3/5/61
PRESIDENT DISNEY RUSHED TO HOSPITAL-Doctors "Fear Worst"
-New York Times, 3/17/61
I was at my home, leafing through my journal and researching the very memoir you now hold in your hands when my nurse rushed in, followed closely by someone who had "official staffer" written all over him. His sign language was good, and mine had improved, so I was able to catch the gist of his message: President Disney was at death's door. Without a word, I grabbed my hat and coat, speeding towards the door and the car that awaited the two of us.
If it had been one more week, I would have been at my new digs in New York, and never would have made it there in time.
-The Truth Of Fantasy: A Washington Memoir, by Former White House Communications Director James Dodd.
Caught it on the TV. Was sitting down to a business lunch with a couple of attorneys who were trying to sell me on a partnership in their firm. Hell, I already had a better offer on the table, but there's nothing wrong with taking a couple of schmucks for a ride if there's a good steak and a couple of martinis in it for you. So I glance at the TV that they have in the corner, and see that damned red Cronkite about to do a "Special Bulletin", so I yell at the bartender to turn it up. Figured it was some more terrorist crap from the Negroes or the goddamn YAFfers. Then he mentions Disney not doing well.
Look, Roy Cohn is a tough son-of-a-bitch, and everyone knows it. But I'm not ashamed to say that my heart just about dropped down to my feet when I heard that. You know, we didn't always agree, and he wasn't the sweetest boss in the world to work for, but dammit, I loved the guy. He was a great president, a great one, I don't care what the hell history says about him. The modern textbooks are practically straight out of Red China, anyway. You still got a couple of the EPCOT communities up and running, you got real industry happening in space, not just a couple of rockets like they had planned at first, you got an international mass transit system with high-speed goddamn bullet trains now. You think any of that would have happened without Walt? Fuck that. People say that it's just "the flow of history". Well, you know who directs the flow of history? Men. That's right, men. Big men, brave men, men like Disney and McCarthy and Hoover and Nixon and the rest who can stand up and say "We're doing it this way now." Disney was a goddamned great man, and a goddamned great president.
-Roy Cohn, quoted in Land Of Tomorrow: America In The 60s, by Studs Terkel
President Disney is a truly wonderful man, and was one of our greatest presidents of all time. The thoughts and prayers of myself and all of the Mickey Mouse Club members are with President Disney and his family in this difficult time.
-Press Statement by Mickey Mouse Club Host and Director Anita Bryant
"At 4:36 this morning, President Walt Disney--my brother--passed away peacefully in his sleep. As far as can be determined, his death was from natural causes. Memorial services will be announced within the week."
-Roy E. Disney, press conference, 3/30/61
"On March 30, 1961, former United States President Walter Elias Disney died of natural causes. A ruthless opponent of the proletariat and prominent capitalist exploiter of the working classes, President Disney led his nation to economic and moral lows previously unseen in American history. During his term in office, the United States experienced the worst racial violence in its history, blacks were consigned to walled-off ghettos not seen since the days of Nazi Germany, and his government squandered millions of dollars on foolish flights of fancy into space."
-Pravada, 3/31/61
I suppose it's my turn now.
First off, my thanks to Anita Bryant for singing one of President Disney's favorite songs. "Someday My Prince Will Come" was what we were all thinking before he entered office, and he was indeed our prince for many years, not just to those who knew him, but to all of the American people.
It is not my role as his friend and advisor to overly praise President Disney. I think that he would have disdained a memorial service of lies and hypocrisy, and would shout down from heaven to put a stop to the program if he saw anyone speaking with less straightforwardness and honesty than he himself exhibited every day of his life.
Instead, I will say this: President Disney was tough. He was fair. He was just. And, yes, he was imperfect. Most of us who worked closely with him caught the sting of his famed temper on occasion, or were subjected to his occasional darker moods. Yet that was a small price to pay to be in his magical presence. One always knew that a meeting with President Disney would be full of wonder and magic, that he would inspire you with his love of adventure, of exploration, of fantasy, of possibility.
Of course, most of all, he would inspire you with his deep and abiding love of America, and all that this great nation represents.
President Disney always saw the best in this country. If he erred, it was always on the side of trust in the American people. This came from his upbringing in Missouri, his roots in the hayrides and church picnics of his youth, his values firmly instilled in him by the Congregational Church that he grew up in and attended his entire life.
From that history, President Disney had a dream of what America should look like, and as he always said, "All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them". He invited us all to have the courage to follow that dream, but with the understanding that America would never be finished, that we would always be this noble experiment, this constant work in progress.
On a personal note, he was undoubtedly the single greatest influence on my life. When I was in the hospital, he ignored his own wounds to visit me regularly. When I left my service at the White House, he would always be ready to receive me if I wanted to come by. When I was concerned about my ability to pay bills, he got on the phone and personally ensured that the paperwork went through on my pension. Imagine that: the most powerful man in the world, and he was willing to get on the phone just to ensure that an old employee wouldn't be late on his bills.
Walt Disney was my president. He was my boss. He was my friend. And in a very real way, he was my father, and was a father to all those who knew and loved him.
As we lay him to rest, we lay a piece of my heart to rest along with him.
Godspeed, Walt. I love you.
-James Dodd, eulogy, Funeral service for President Walter Elias Disney (read by Disney Corporation President Ronald Reagan on his behalf)
THE END OF PART ONE
TO BE CONTINUED...and this is all that's left to say.
Washington, D.C.- CBS reporter Mike Wallace accused Capitol Police officers of "brutality" following his arrest on charges of failure to disperse during the riots proceeding from the alleged assassination attempt against Presidents Disney and Stennis last Friday. Mr. Wallace further stated that his first amendment rights were violated by said officers, and that the police had used "thuggish tactics" against him and his fellow reporters in the chaos immediately following the inauguration.
-Washington Post, 1/17/61
"You go ahead and tell Congress to remember who gave 'em a President who won't veto every social program that comes his way. Remind 'em that we're in a state of emergency in this country, and that we're going to have to take some ugly-looking measures before we get back to normal, hell, if we're ever going to get there.
"First one out the door is going to be the Negro Relocation Funding Act. After that, it's going to be the Security Zone Act. Before we can do anything else, we have to clamp down on the student radicals. Tell Hoover to get his ass in here so we can deal with the damn terrorists."
-President John Stennis, quoted in Straight Furrow: The Presidency of John C. Stennis, William Pierce, 1976
As I listened to the BBC News services in between feverish bouts of writing, I realized that our merry gang had managed to extricate itself from the shores of the benighted United States in the proverbial nick of time. The loathsome "Relocation Funding" bill had passed, promising a mess of pottage to whatever unfortunate dark-skinned citizens were willing to sell their birthright and move to another country. The capital itself was under martial law for the moment. With the exceptions of New York and parts of California, the entire nation seemed to be caught in a delirious fever dream, not soon to awake from whatever nightmare held her in its furious grasp.
Of course, I had my own difficulties to deal with at the moment. Edward, usually a trustworthy soul, had been captivated by the discordant sounds of "Sandstorm", a group of masked youngsters who somehow managed to combine the worst elements of the barbershop quartet with the "rock" music currently so popular in the rougher areas of London. He even insisted on dragging me and Maila along to a performance by "The Quarrymen", a night that would prove to have fateful consequences. At the nightclub where they were playing, I found myself fortunately unable to hear the screeching of the young lads over the screeching of the bobbysoxers who had come to attend to them, and instead found myself a space at the bar, where I proceeded to while away the hours with a sampling of the local beverages.
The next morning, i awoke to find myself in bed next to Maila. Not to be indelicate, but this was not a novel state of affairs. What did strike me as an original element of my morning was the presence of a large, but tasteful diamond ring on her left hand. I awoke her to inquire further regarding this bauble. As it turned out, I had, after a mild overindulgence, discussed the possibility of making our domestic arrangements a more permanent and official one. Never one to miss a cue, she had insisted on taking me from the club to a local jeweler, where she had happily picked out a reasonably-priced engagement ring.
I say "reasonably priced", but indeed, I cannot think of any price too great to give me an excuse to leave that club and the screeching behind me, even if it meant the eventual loss of my freedom.
-Through A Lens Darkly: The Autobiography of Orson Welles, Orson Welles
"Boys, this is the best Valentine gift I ever got!"
-President John Stennis to his staff on the passage of the Security Zone Act, which codified into law the rights of states to establish "secure" neighborhoods for members of races deemed "open to subversion" by local governments.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE NARROWLY DEFEATS SECURITY ZONES
-Sacramento Bee, 2/28/61
"I am concerned about the confirmation of Mr. Gibbons to the post of Secretary of Labor. Mr. Gibbons was a known associate of labor leader and convicted--though pardoned--felon James Hoffa, and I believe that members of the President's cabinet should not simply be above reproach, but should avoid even the appearance of impropriety."
-Senator Kenneth Keating (R-NY), speech from the Senate floor, 3/5/61
PRESIDENT DISNEY RUSHED TO HOSPITAL-Doctors "Fear Worst"
-New York Times, 3/17/61
I was at my home, leafing through my journal and researching the very memoir you now hold in your hands when my nurse rushed in, followed closely by someone who had "official staffer" written all over him. His sign language was good, and mine had improved, so I was able to catch the gist of his message: President Disney was at death's door. Without a word, I grabbed my hat and coat, speeding towards the door and the car that awaited the two of us.
If it had been one more week, I would have been at my new digs in New York, and never would have made it there in time.
-The Truth Of Fantasy: A Washington Memoir, by Former White House Communications Director James Dodd.
Caught it on the TV. Was sitting down to a business lunch with a couple of attorneys who were trying to sell me on a partnership in their firm. Hell, I already had a better offer on the table, but there's nothing wrong with taking a couple of schmucks for a ride if there's a good steak and a couple of martinis in it for you. So I glance at the TV that they have in the corner, and see that damned red Cronkite about to do a "Special Bulletin", so I yell at the bartender to turn it up. Figured it was some more terrorist crap from the Negroes or the goddamn YAFfers. Then he mentions Disney not doing well.
Look, Roy Cohn is a tough son-of-a-bitch, and everyone knows it. But I'm not ashamed to say that my heart just about dropped down to my feet when I heard that. You know, we didn't always agree, and he wasn't the sweetest boss in the world to work for, but dammit, I loved the guy. He was a great president, a great one, I don't care what the hell history says about him. The modern textbooks are practically straight out of Red China, anyway. You still got a couple of the EPCOT communities up and running, you got real industry happening in space, not just a couple of rockets like they had planned at first, you got an international mass transit system with high-speed goddamn bullet trains now. You think any of that would have happened without Walt? Fuck that. People say that it's just "the flow of history". Well, you know who directs the flow of history? Men. That's right, men. Big men, brave men, men like Disney and McCarthy and Hoover and Nixon and the rest who can stand up and say "We're doing it this way now." Disney was a goddamned great man, and a goddamned great president.
-Roy Cohn, quoted in Land Of Tomorrow: America In The 60s, by Studs Terkel
President Disney is a truly wonderful man, and was one of our greatest presidents of all time. The thoughts and prayers of myself and all of the Mickey Mouse Club members are with President Disney and his family in this difficult time.
-Press Statement by Mickey Mouse Club Host and Director Anita Bryant
"At 4:36 this morning, President Walt Disney--my brother--passed away peacefully in his sleep. As far as can be determined, his death was from natural causes. Memorial services will be announced within the week."
-Roy E. Disney, press conference, 3/30/61
"On March 30, 1961, former United States President Walter Elias Disney died of natural causes. A ruthless opponent of the proletariat and prominent capitalist exploiter of the working classes, President Disney led his nation to economic and moral lows previously unseen in American history. During his term in office, the United States experienced the worst racial violence in its history, blacks were consigned to walled-off ghettos not seen since the days of Nazi Germany, and his government squandered millions of dollars on foolish flights of fancy into space."
-Pravada, 3/31/61
I suppose it's my turn now.
First off, my thanks to Anita Bryant for singing one of President Disney's favorite songs. "Someday My Prince Will Come" was what we were all thinking before he entered office, and he was indeed our prince for many years, not just to those who knew him, but to all of the American people.
It is not my role as his friend and advisor to overly praise President Disney. I think that he would have disdained a memorial service of lies and hypocrisy, and would shout down from heaven to put a stop to the program if he saw anyone speaking with less straightforwardness and honesty than he himself exhibited every day of his life.
Instead, I will say this: President Disney was tough. He was fair. He was just. And, yes, he was imperfect. Most of us who worked closely with him caught the sting of his famed temper on occasion, or were subjected to his occasional darker moods. Yet that was a small price to pay to be in his magical presence. One always knew that a meeting with President Disney would be full of wonder and magic, that he would inspire you with his love of adventure, of exploration, of fantasy, of possibility.
Of course, most of all, he would inspire you with his deep and abiding love of America, and all that this great nation represents.
President Disney always saw the best in this country. If he erred, it was always on the side of trust in the American people. This came from his upbringing in Missouri, his roots in the hayrides and church picnics of his youth, his values firmly instilled in him by the Congregational Church that he grew up in and attended his entire life.
From that history, President Disney had a dream of what America should look like, and as he always said, "All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them". He invited us all to have the courage to follow that dream, but with the understanding that America would never be finished, that we would always be this noble experiment, this constant work in progress.
On a personal note, he was undoubtedly the single greatest influence on my life. When I was in the hospital, he ignored his own wounds to visit me regularly. When I left my service at the White House, he would always be ready to receive me if I wanted to come by. When I was concerned about my ability to pay bills, he got on the phone and personally ensured that the paperwork went through on my pension. Imagine that: the most powerful man in the world, and he was willing to get on the phone just to ensure that an old employee wouldn't be late on his bills.
Walt Disney was my president. He was my boss. He was my friend. And in a very real way, he was my father, and was a father to all those who knew and loved him.
As we lay him to rest, we lay a piece of my heart to rest along with him.
Godspeed, Walt. I love you.
-James Dodd, eulogy, Funeral service for President Walter Elias Disney (read by Disney Corporation President Ronald Reagan on his behalf)
THE END OF PART ONE
TO BE CONTINUED...and this is all that's left to say.
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Someday my prince will come? Classic!
I hope, I hope, I hope that Part Two doesn't take too long to come about.
I hope, I hope, I hope that Part Two doesn't take too long to come about.
It won't. The writing monkey is a difficult one to get off your back, so I'm only going to take enough time to recharge my mental and emotional batteries.
pnyckqx
Banned
Sorry if I'm premature on this, but for those of us eagerly awaiting your return to this TL in the next installment --Do you have a working title yet?
He was a major player in the Teamsters' Union, and his appointment will have significant repercussions both direct and indirect.
Stunned silence...
A smile, a tear...
STANDING OVATION until the curtain drops!!
BRAVO, bravissimo!
Thanks for the wild ride, nacho. Greatly looking forward to the sequal.
You have fully earned the Best TL Turtledove.
PS: nice touch on the youtube vid!
A smile, a tear...
STANDING OVATION until the curtain drops!!
BRAVO, bravissimo! Thanks for the wild ride, nacho. Greatly looking forward to the sequal.
You have fully earned the Best TL Turtledove.
PS: nice touch on the youtube vid!
Sorry if I'm premature on this, but for those of us eagerly awaiting your return to this TL in the next installment --Do you have a working title yet?
I think so. The title that I'm leaning towards has the advantages of fitting with the previous title, not being as predictable as the other alternative, and working well with the themes I'll be exploring.
Stunned silence...
A smile, a tear...
STANDING OVATION until the curtain drops!!
Thanks for the wild ride, nacho. Greatly looking forward to the sequal.
You have fully earned the Best TL Turtledove.
PS: nice touch on the youtube vid!
*bows*
Haven't won it yet! Embryonic chickens and counting are a bad combination.
And thanks. I got a little misty watching it, since I was doing so while taking a break from writing Dodd's eulogy.
Thanks. Toldja I'd give you some hints as to what the future would look like.
Damn this was some good stuff. Eagerly wait your next TL.
PS: A billion bucks to anyone who tries their hand a spin-off TL where Rockwell becomes prez in '60 (with Statichaos permission, of course)
Hmm. This wasn't my plan, but for a billion bucks? I'll do it.
Orville_third
Banned
This was amazing. I'm sorry I didn't get some of the Disney info to you earlier so you could have put it in. I'm somewhat of a Disney fan, though not as familiar with Walt himself...but this story is amazing. Any Disney Corporate AH ideas I have pale in comparison. My mouse ears are off to you.
MY GOD YOU ARE AWESOME, STATICHAOS!
Anyhow, congrats statichaos, I think you have written one of the greatest, well written, and cleverly planned timeline I have ever seen, and I very much look forward to your sequel and the 1960s in this frightening and entertaining timeline. Wonderful job, sir. My only request is that you continue this timeline until the present day!
Anyhow, congrats statichaos, I think you have written one of the greatest, well written, and cleverly planned timeline I have ever seen, and I very much look forward to your sequel and the 1960s in this frightening and entertaining timeline. Wonderful job, sir. My only request is that you continue this timeline until the present day!
Well, I think he meant the people in the story...Brown should really be used to shit happening by now. Also, I had a good laugh at Welles getting married! That was...unexpected.
Looking forwards to Part II!
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