For a Gore Prosperous Tomorrow
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Sanders Administration- Spring 2018
Spring 2018
"And further suspicious behavior courtesy of the Russians..."
"Looks like we know why the youth remain loyal to Myspace over Facebook..."
"Good job Ireland!"
The Americans' reputation began increasing abroad thanks to the reforms being put in by the Sanders' Administration and it began leading to people becoming more willing to live up to the reputations Americans had for themselves in being the best by actually trying to make it happen. At the same time, this contrasted with the decline of the Russian Federation. Its sphere of influence have shrunk considerably and its reputation continues to decline as a result of the growing actions of the Putin administration. The latest in what is seen to be a long line of suspicious behaviors. Early in March, Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military officer and double agent for the UK's intelligence services, and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, were poisoned in the city of Salisbury, England. According to UK sources and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), it was with a Novichok nerve agent. After three weeks in a critical condition, Yulia regained consciousness and was able to speak; she was discharged from hospital over in April. Sergei was also in a critical condition until he regained consciousness one month after the attack; he was discharged mid-May. Unsurprisingly, the entire debacle was a storm of controversy and accusations at Russia, who tried to blame the British. While the investigation was ongoing for the year, the British and several other nations refused to have Russians involved in the examination of materials. This along with Russia's comments showcased a deep divide growing more between Russia and the rest of the world.
Forensics tent covers the bench where Sergei and Yulia Skripal fell unconscious
Of course, suspicious activity was not limited only to Russia. Over in the United States, a controversy was breaking out involving social media giant Facebook and British political data firm Cambridge Analytica. What would be the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data breach was a data leak in early 2018 whereby millions of Facebook users' personal data was harvested without consent by Cambridge Analytica, predominantly to be used for political advertising. It is the largest known leak in Facebook history. The data was collected through an app created in 2013 by Dr. Aleksandr Kogan (Dr. Aleksandr Spectre, at the time), a Cambridge academic, and consisted of a series of questions to build psychological profiles on users. The app not only harvested the personal data of the users that completed the questions, but also of the users’ Facebook friends.Cambridge Analytica sought to sell the data of American voters to political campaigns and would be linked to several prominent politicians on both political parties, notably establishment Republicans and some Democrats. The data breach was disclosed in 2018 by Christopher Wylie, a former Cambridge Analytica employee, in interviews with The Guardian and The New York Times. In response, Facebook apologized for their role in the data harvesting and their CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in front of Congress. The Sanders Administraton used it to call on tighter controls for internet privacy along with the dangers of malicious influence within elections. Unsurprisingly, Facebook would end up losing a chunk of users. Facebook had taken the top spot from Myspace around 2014 involving social media usage though many noted the trend would likely be reversed as newer users would reinforce their loyalty to Myspace or sign up. Other websites would benefit, most notably Google Plus, which would be seen as the alternative. As the politicians and other interested parties were outed, it served to further enflame people to go to the polls, especially with a later decision coming into the transition into the summer.
User utilizing the Cambridge Analytica and Facebook product.
Despite this, there was some encouraging news going on. Over in Ireland, the 36th Amendment would be added to the Constitution, one that would legalize abortion in the nation. More specifcially, the Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland (previously bill no. 29 of 2018) is an amendment to the constitution of Ireland which permits the Oireachtas to legislate for abortion. The constitution had previously prohibited abortion unless there was a serious risk to the life of the mother. The proposal was often described as the Repeal of the Eighth Amendment, referring to the 1983 constitutional amendment which guarantees the unborn the right to life, making abortion illegal unless the pregnancy is life-threatening. The 2018 bill replaces Article 40.3.3° of the Constitution, which was added in 1983 and amended in 1992. Being introduced by the Sinn Féin-run government, it would be voted upon and being signed in, with an impressive ~70% of yes for the amendment beig added. Unsurprisingly, many governments such as the Labour government of Corbyn and the Sanders Administration applauded this decision in moving forward while conservative and reactionary groups bemoaned the loss of morality. It did seem to further symbolize the leftward shift that was going on in the world. It would be signed into action later in the year. It would also be seen as a sign of growing secularism within the world given the reputation of Ireland as a Catholic stronghold was maintained.
"Yes" supporters at Dublin Castle after the Referendum results were declared
"And further suspicious behavior courtesy of the Russians..."
"Looks like we know why the youth remain loyal to Myspace over Facebook..."
"Good job Ireland!"
The Americans' reputation began increasing abroad thanks to the reforms being put in by the Sanders' Administration and it began leading to people becoming more willing to live up to the reputations Americans had for themselves in being the best by actually trying to make it happen. At the same time, this contrasted with the decline of the Russian Federation. Its sphere of influence have shrunk considerably and its reputation continues to decline as a result of the growing actions of the Putin administration. The latest in what is seen to be a long line of suspicious behaviors. Early in March, Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military officer and double agent for the UK's intelligence services, and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, were poisoned in the city of Salisbury, England. According to UK sources and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), it was with a Novichok nerve agent. After three weeks in a critical condition, Yulia regained consciousness and was able to speak; she was discharged from hospital over in April. Sergei was also in a critical condition until he regained consciousness one month after the attack; he was discharged mid-May. Unsurprisingly, the entire debacle was a storm of controversy and accusations at Russia, who tried to blame the British. While the investigation was ongoing for the year, the British and several other nations refused to have Russians involved in the examination of materials. This along with Russia's comments showcased a deep divide growing more between Russia and the rest of the world.
Forensics tent covers the bench where Sergei and Yulia Skripal fell unconscious
Of course, suspicious activity was not limited only to Russia. Over in the United States, a controversy was breaking out involving social media giant Facebook and British political data firm Cambridge Analytica. What would be the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data breach was a data leak in early 2018 whereby millions of Facebook users' personal data was harvested without consent by Cambridge Analytica, predominantly to be used for political advertising. It is the largest known leak in Facebook history. The data was collected through an app created in 2013 by Dr. Aleksandr Kogan (Dr. Aleksandr Spectre, at the time), a Cambridge academic, and consisted of a series of questions to build psychological profiles on users. The app not only harvested the personal data of the users that completed the questions, but also of the users’ Facebook friends.Cambridge Analytica sought to sell the data of American voters to political campaigns and would be linked to several prominent politicians on both political parties, notably establishment Republicans and some Democrats. The data breach was disclosed in 2018 by Christopher Wylie, a former Cambridge Analytica employee, in interviews with The Guardian and The New York Times. In response, Facebook apologized for their role in the data harvesting and their CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in front of Congress. The Sanders Administraton used it to call on tighter controls for internet privacy along with the dangers of malicious influence within elections. Unsurprisingly, Facebook would end up losing a chunk of users. Facebook had taken the top spot from Myspace around 2014 involving social media usage though many noted the trend would likely be reversed as newer users would reinforce their loyalty to Myspace or sign up. Other websites would benefit, most notably Google Plus, which would be seen as the alternative. As the politicians and other interested parties were outed, it served to further enflame people to go to the polls, especially with a later decision coming into the transition into the summer.
User utilizing the Cambridge Analytica and Facebook product.
Despite this, there was some encouraging news going on. Over in Ireland, the 36th Amendment would be added to the Constitution, one that would legalize abortion in the nation. More specifcially, the Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland (previously bill no. 29 of 2018) is an amendment to the constitution of Ireland which permits the Oireachtas to legislate for abortion. The constitution had previously prohibited abortion unless there was a serious risk to the life of the mother. The proposal was often described as the Repeal of the Eighth Amendment, referring to the 1983 constitutional amendment which guarantees the unborn the right to life, making abortion illegal unless the pregnancy is life-threatening. The 2018 bill replaces Article 40.3.3° of the Constitution, which was added in 1983 and amended in 1992. Being introduced by the Sinn Féin-run government, it would be voted upon and being signed in, with an impressive ~70% of yes for the amendment beig added. Unsurprisingly, many governments such as the Labour government of Corbyn and the Sanders Administration applauded this decision in moving forward while conservative and reactionary groups bemoaned the loss of morality. It did seem to further symbolize the leftward shift that was going on in the world. It would be signed into action later in the year. It would also be seen as a sign of growing secularism within the world given the reputation of Ireland as a Catholic stronghold was maintained.
"Yes" supporters at Dublin Castle after the Referendum results were declared
Approximately. It was probably taken more seriously than OTL and while there were more tech savvy and aware politicians (due to the influence of the digital cabinet introduced by Gore), it was still a sign that leaders did need to maintain an awareness on all this.
What happened to the Harry Potter franchise ITTL? Do the Fantastic Beasts movies still happen? Does Rowling still get into her later controversies?
What happened to Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden?
Has anything happened with Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Owen Wilson, M. Night Shyamalan ITTL?
What happened to Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden?
Has anything happened with Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Owen Wilson, M. Night Shyamalan ITTL?
Harry Potter likely retains its popularity and so on, but I am unsure if it continues onto its post-story developments? I am unsure if Fantastic Beasts happens because of the zeitgeist though it's possible only the first one gets made. Rowling may still get into later controversies or she may not. Cultural developments can be hard to figure out in how they respond.
Rage Against the Machine would definitely be popular and perhaps moreso since I reckon they may switch over to Project MAY because they see them as more ethical. They would definitely like Sanders I feel. Soundgarden would probably still be the same as OTL.
Sandler would either do more dramatic works or save more of his comedy for animation, Kevin James likely also switches to animation a bit more given the growing sense of drama and his works probably not being as appealing because of changing culture. Owen Wilson would still voice Lighting McQueen though Cars 2 wouldn't happen as it did (it would come alot later than OTL and probably take the place of Cars 3).
As for M. Night, well, the Last Airbender wouldn't be made since it'd be seen as either too risky. At worst, executive meddling would doom the film early on and remind people of how Spider-Man 3 collapsed in production. I am thinking he may do Life of Pi like they originally offered him at first (OTL he turned it down to make Lady in the Water), but he may come back to it. As such, he wouldn't be mired in as much controversy. He might focus more on television though. Hard to tell with him.
How are Fleet Foxes, the Lumineers, Mumford and Sons, Sigur Ros, and Of Monsters and Men ITTL?
What happened to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi ITTL, Who were involved with ISIS IOTL? Speaking of which, I assume there are no terrorist attacks in Paris, Brussels, and Manchester and less Islamic Terrorism in general ITTL?
Other than MySpace, what is happening with Friendster, LiveJournal, and VKontakte ITTL?
What happened to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi ITTL, Who were involved with ISIS IOTL? Speaking of which, I assume there are no terrorist attacks in Paris, Brussels, and Manchester and less Islamic Terrorism in general ITTL?
Other than MySpace, what is happening with Friendster, LiveJournal, and VKontakte ITTL?
Fleet Foxes- Probably more successful thanks to Project MAY, same with Lumineers, Mumford and Sons. Sigur Ros would be the same anf probably Of Monsters and Men. Alot of the lesser known bands shine on more in the late 2000s and alongside the rise of true Internet born musicians like NateWantsToBattle being more prevalent.
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi- Probably killed in Saddam's Iraq during mid-2000s. Same with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. ISIS was founded in 1999. They would never rise to big prominence and likely die out during the McCain Administration.
And yeah, pretty much. No terrorist attacks on those places or so on. Only problematic places are in Africa and to a lesser degree Pakistan (though extra pressure put the kibosh on that).
Friendster is still used as a social media platform ITTL, but probably not that big. It will likely see a resurgence in prominence with the Facebook-Cambridge scandal and people who wouldn't wanna go to Myspace would go to Friendster for the casual social media website.
LiveJournal wouldn't be sold to the Russians due to the tense atmosphere and cultural pressures. Not sure who would buy LiveJournal then. Maybe Google does and implements with Google Plus? Not sure there.
VKontakte would still be around like OTL.
Sanders Administration- State 52
The Sanders Administration: Long Overdue
While the midterms were coming, perhaps the big news was on whether the new state of the Douglass Commonwealth would be able to vote in new Senators and Representatives would be able to be voted in by the people in time for the 2018 midterm elections, albeit namely in regards to the primaries. It was looking like so and as the government began working on reforms for the future inclusions of new states, the Sanders Administration were working to include the possibility of states beyond DC.
Namely that of Puerto Rico.
With the success of the Douglass Commonwealth ascending to statehood, it reinvigorated the Puerto Rico statehood movement, especially with assistance being involved to help repair the city from the previous hurricane. While the referendum for Puerto Rico's statehood was to be held months prior, it was delayed by the hurricane. Now that stability has returned to various sectors, it was time to hold the referendum. In a move that surprised very few people, the people of Puerto Rico voted with an overwhelming majority to be incorporated into the United States properly as a state.
The Spring of 2018 would see the rise of the 52nd state of the Union.
This was long foreshadowed to where they held off making any 51-star flags and began planning to produce 52-star flags for the occassion. Of course, there was the matter of voting into Congress. It was surprisingly more difficult than the previous times as the hardliners showed a surprising determination to keep Puerto Rico from statehood, but in doing so, overplayed their hand and exposed the political chicanery behind it. The fear that the Republican Party would never win with such a case. While these revelations weren't ground-breaking, it did begin having spreading more consideration in diversifying political parties along with the need to completely purge influence.
While the seeds of such sentiments were being sowed, the Sanders Administration would still pass it and the news would be rang. Puerto Rico celeberated their induction as preprarations were made to have some elections over within the 2018 midterms over for their Representatives, Senators and so on.
Many would also predicted that the more left-aligned wing would be in power as a result of this. Also many noted that with Puerto Rico and Douglass Commonwealth having differing if aligned parties, it raised the possibility that political parties may fade into the dust. Others predict it would be less this and more political parties diversifying into the state level and a coalition system would form. Some said simply that the bipartisan system would withstand this change. Regardless, many are celeberating the rise of the new state and possibility of some more diversity and representation within.
Overall, it seems that this year, the midterms will have some newcomers that will further shake up the political alignment.
The 52nd State: State of Puerto Rico, the State flag, and the new American flag
While the midterms were coming, perhaps the big news was on whether the new state of the Douglass Commonwealth would be able to vote in new Senators and Representatives would be able to be voted in by the people in time for the 2018 midterm elections, albeit namely in regards to the primaries. It was looking like so and as the government began working on reforms for the future inclusions of new states, the Sanders Administration were working to include the possibility of states beyond DC.
Namely that of Puerto Rico.
With the success of the Douglass Commonwealth ascending to statehood, it reinvigorated the Puerto Rico statehood movement, especially with assistance being involved to help repair the city from the previous hurricane. While the referendum for Puerto Rico's statehood was to be held months prior, it was delayed by the hurricane. Now that stability has returned to various sectors, it was time to hold the referendum. In a move that surprised very few people, the people of Puerto Rico voted with an overwhelming majority to be incorporated into the United States properly as a state.
The Spring of 2018 would see the rise of the 52nd state of the Union.
This was long foreshadowed to where they held off making any 51-star flags and began planning to produce 52-star flags for the occassion. Of course, there was the matter of voting into Congress. It was surprisingly more difficult than the previous times as the hardliners showed a surprising determination to keep Puerto Rico from statehood, but in doing so, overplayed their hand and exposed the political chicanery behind it. The fear that the Republican Party would never win with such a case. While these revelations weren't ground-breaking, it did begin having spreading more consideration in diversifying political parties along with the need to completely purge influence.
While the seeds of such sentiments were being sowed, the Sanders Administration would still pass it and the news would be rang. Puerto Rico celeberated their induction as preprarations were made to have some elections over within the 2018 midterms over for their Representatives, Senators and so on.
Many would also predicted that the more left-aligned wing would be in power as a result of this. Also many noted that with Puerto Rico and Douglass Commonwealth having differing if aligned parties, it raised the possibility that political parties may fade into the dust. Others predict it would be less this and more political parties diversifying into the state level and a coalition system would form. Some said simply that the bipartisan system would withstand this change. Regardless, many are celeberating the rise of the new state and possibility of some more diversity and representation within.
Overall, it seems that this year, the midterms will have some newcomers that will further shake up the political alignment.
The 52nd State: State of Puerto Rico, the State flag, and the new American flag
With an additional island state being created, has thought been given to modifying that law which says that only U.S.-flagged vessels can ship goods between U.S. ports, which has made the prices of goods much higher in Puerto Rico and also created problems when supplies and equipment needed to be brought in for disaster relief?
Well, I may have quite a few...
What are Maroon 5, the Killers, AJR, M83, Woodkid, Fall Out Boy, Florence + the Machine, Panic! At the Disco, Avicii, and David Guetta all doing ITTL?
What happened to the Cornetto Trilogy?
I guess the Alt-Right is butterflied without Trump? Or atleast exists in a smaller and less recognisable form compared to OTL?
The law would definitely be re-examined, especially as the Sanders Administration would bolster cooperation with Caribbean aligned nations, especially Cuba and Mexico.
Puerto Rico will definitely become a hub for that sort of stuff within the Union as well as other aspects.
Most would probably be the same as OTL. Indie bands would probably be more well-known and more widespread if they appeared on YouTube and spread through Project MAY. Even if not, they might be affected by piggybacking. Fallout Boy would probably shift a bit in direction in lyrics, but still be successful.
Cornetto trilogy is still made though I imagine The World’s End would be the only one that would be changed in a significant way and that’s because of the cultural changes due to the Great Recession and the growing frustrations at the current governments.
“Alt-Right” doesn’t really exist; there’s still plenty of bigoted delusional jerkwads, but a combination of cultural changes and so on means they remain irrelevant and moreso with the establishment changing and addressing issues. Yeah, Sanders election does cause some of the anti-semites to crawl out;l, but it’s not dissimilar to what OTL Obama reaction. Just the different political climate means the backlash against these jerkwads is bigger.
Honestly, hard to say. That would be like trying to predict the ones for OTL here?
Climate change would still be a prominent issue even though this timeline has a very distinct advantage over OTL in tackling it. Beyond that... well, it's mainly Putin's Russia being... Putin's Russia. Certain reactionary governments like those in the Philippines, Hungary, Poland and a couple others causing cultural trouble and trying to bring back that old bugbear known as nationalism. South America possibl as the Catholic and economic elite will try stuff and the US will have to leverage more international and political pressure to break these systems.
Beyond that... I don't really know.
What's happening with Ted Cruz, Bolsonaro, and Duerte?
What happened to Hussien? Did he get executed like OTL?
What happened to Hussien? Did he get executed like OTL?
Ted Cruz is probably a disgruntled professor over in the University of Texas. Bolsonaro is likely gonna attempt his election and likely lose with it. Might get mired in contrroversy.
Duterte is likely gonna lose popularity with the growing human rights concerns and trying to gravitate toward Russia is gonna cause some problems to be sure. He's gonna be mocked on the War of Drugs and his strongarm approach will see him further politically isolated. I don't know if he would be ousted give my ignorance on the Philippine political system. Though he might be impeached if sanctions are put on them for it along with everything else.
As for Saddam, he died in the Iraqi-Syrian War, either by assassins or turncoats.
For Hungary in particular, I could see a nationalist government supporting the ethnic Hungarians of Szekely Land in Romania with their push for greater autonomy.
Possibly though the differing political landscapes may change that, such as the failure of reactionary and neonational governments to tackle problems and no refugee crisis that would agitate certain people