For a Gore Prosperous Tomorrow

Gore Administration- Winter 2003
All righty then! Here we go some more!

Winter 2003

"Fred Rogers dying would've been a tragedy. Thank goodness his operation is a success and he will be with us a bit longer."

"Al Gore's mini-series is a pretty fun, but also serious look at the problems that the people of the world have to face with things potentially getting worse if we do not fix matters now."

"The Coumbia tragedy is a reminder of the sacrifices we put to explore the stars and on the advncements we have to keep making."


2003 saw a rise in confidence within for Al Gore. While the 2002 elections did not bring in as many rewards as expected, the growing appreciation toward him did mean growing affections for the Democrats and even the Green party who have been using their growing influence for establishing more chapters around the United States. There was of course also the swearing in of some brand new members of the House and Senate of course, but it was business as usual for the most part. The beginning of 2003 saw the increased presence of air marshals, security at airports and a more proactive behavior. However, the relative peace brought greater hope as well. Perhaps more notably was how the slow news week meant matters that otherwise would've been missed ended up getting more attention. One was on a case regarding copyright extension, which would extend pre-existing copyright for 20 more years. While some did not see this as a big deal, others were a bit more moved on how long stuff was before entering the public domain. What really got the attention was the presence of Mr. Fred Rogers. Ever since a meeting with President Al Gore, he became more notcieable as the President wished for Mr. Rogers to assist in spreading the awareness of protecting the environment and being more conscious in usage. Additionally, he recommended Rogers in promptly seeing a doctor upon hearing of his stomach pains. Indeed, it was in October he was diagnosed with stomach cancer and he went under surgery sooner. The surgery was a success and Mr. Rogers was undergoing a good recovery. Mr. Rogers was invited to speak on behalf on Eldred's behalf. Recalling the prior incident in regards to recording shows, Mr. Rogers spoke quietly and elogantly on the subject manner. His inclusion brought more attention to the case. Despite, the case still passed 5-4, allowing CTEA to go forward, but the closeness brought some more interest in the case, especially with the potential development of legislation to address the lingering issues.

Fred_Rogers_2002.jpg

Image of Fred Rogers during the court case of Eldred v. Reno

Not everything was all well and good. The nation grieved for the loss of the 7 astronauts aboard the Columbia as the craft destroyed upon reentry. The month of Febuary was followed with mourning their lives with Al Gore creating a memorial for them as well as bestowing upon them and the passangers of the previous Challenger disaster posthumous Congressional Space Medals of Honor, 14 in all of them. It brought a bit more focus back into space and on humanity's goal to return to the stars from where they came. Another disaster was also the Station nightclub fire, claiming more lives of innocent people. Perhaps to help combat the trend of bleak news while also wanting to promote environmental awareness, Al Gore had a special mini-series on the importance of the environment as well as climate change, including big names in the scientific community and those to reach out to children, most notably Bill Nye and Fred Rogers. The mini-series ran on multiple channels beyond PBS and grew to be a popular, enlightening and surprisingly mature take on the subject matter that was still appropriate for all ages. People began dwelling more on the environment and the impact they have, but moreover, the impact of large bodies such as companies and the military, hence the gradual cutbacks to certain aspects of the military (offset by pay increases for the soldiers.)

shuttle.600.jpg

Columbia debris at the accident

Overabroad, attempts resolving the issues with Israel and Palestine were gaining some ground, but it was becoming difficult due to friction on both sides, though Gore and Lieberman were determined to end the issue here. Some plans even considered began potentially withholding support. Other issues included dealing with Iraq, who was being pressured by the US for examinations.
 
Last edited:
Gore Administration- Spring 2003
And here we go! Another massive change is coming!

Spring 2003

"Al Gore's rhetoric is like a cold shower. Sure it's a bit of a shock and sometimes an unpleasant welcome, but it's usually needed and the people are woken up. But it's not hugely upsetting and it gets the job done."

"Boy if you thought the neocons were unhappy before, this will put them in conniptions."

"It's pretty hard for Israel to not look like the bad guy here for this. Logistics are a nightmare, but for goodness sake, enough is enough."


Spring brought forth a growing number of changes within the United States and the world. The United States had begun working more on pressuring Iraq for investigations on weapons though Al Gore has assured the population that was was not the end goal here. In fact, they were just finishing up the last job over in Afghanistan, with the last of the troops remaining there until the end of the year, namely also to keep out for any potential future problems while also continuing to assist in the rebuilding of Aghanistan and keeping the peace in the region. However, the first bit of major news was on FBI agents leading a raid the corporate headquarters of HealthSouth Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama, on suspicion of massive corporate fraud led by the company's top executives. While the investigations were inconclusive thus far, it symbolized a growing discontent of the US public toward corporations. While on the topic of health-based corporations, Al Gore led the nation in the discussions of improving the health of children along with the fears of the rising prices of medicine. As such, he began pushing for legislation to generic drugs over onto the shelves faster while looking for ways to keep the costs down. Additionally, he mentioned that children of the US should be insured and thus while he promoted expanding CHIP, some of his aides and supporters instead urged him to expand Medicare to include minors, a position that Al Gore would come to take as many recalled his position he taken that all children should be insured by 2004. Unsurprisingly, a number of Representatives and Senators were against the idea, something that Gore would exploit, especially in regards to the dissonance between the wealthy congressmen and their less fortunate constinuents. They have given Al Gore a crack that he and his administration would begin chipping at. Though meanwhile, CHIP was expanded to cover more children while Gore worked on his plan to expand Medicare to include minors, something that he was finding difficult to do on a variety of fronts, but he was gradually building support.

HealthSouth_Corporation_HQ.jpeg

Aerial view of the HealthSouth Corporation, taken hours before the raid.

Meanwhile, the growing conflicts in Iraq has brought forth a potential that no one saw coming. Iran. Early May had Iran propose a deal to President Gore that surprised the nation. On the agenda were several topics and negotiations and the end results surprised everyone as Al Gore took the opportunity. Items on the agenda included, but were not limited to:
  • Relief of all U.S. sanctions on Iran
  • Cooperation on handling Iraq.
  • Full transparency over Iran’s nuclear program, including the Additional Protocol
  • Cooperation against terrorist organizations, particularly the Mujahedin-e Khalq and al-Qaeda
  • Iran’s acceptance of the Arab League’s 2002 “land for peace” declaration on Israel/Palestine
  • Iran’s full access to peaceful nuclear technology, as well as chemical and bio-technology
Al Gore relished the opportunity to continue work and development. While the nuclear technology was his hesitation, it was more toward due to his green stances rather than anything regarding nuclear weaponry. Iran took this in mind and added the promotion of green technology, something that became more popular domestically since it was this whole issue on oil that was a large issue on this. Al Gore now had a way of trying to force Iraq's cooperation or at the least having a dependable ally.
Additionally, Iran followed the first step in the full recognition of Israel. Iran and the Americans' deal was a massive boom to Al Gore's popularity and a backslap to the Republicans. Neocons were not happy with the decision, but early outcrys and derisions backfired tremendously as accusations of warmongering and so on piled onto them. Pundits declared that if their candidate Bush won, they would've begun getting into open conflicts rather than making peace.

Iran and Israel began a new chapter in positive relationships along with the US and Iran. Sanctions were lifted, people were celeberating and Iran began outlining new green policies while also preparing military operations to stop terrorist and radical groups. The first stop? Palestine.

All except for some in the Israel government. Al Gore's election signaled a shift. His success in handling 9/11 and his growing commitments to peace meant that the people in Israel began shifting left. The elections were closer than anyone expected them to be and while the conservatives one, it was more of a big tent this time around. With the Arab League excited at the prospect of peace and Iran joining in, all eyes turned to Israel. Everyone but them thought this was a good idea and there were not many reasons that could be given that did not sound like apartheid. As such, they began the peace talks. Israeli stances were mixed, though Iran recognizing them and seeking peace brought in some positivity. The Israeli government was in a troubled spot as differing factions were becoming more aggressive, but nonetheless Israel accepted the invitations for the talks as they realized that it would become harder to support.

While the pre-1967 borders aspect remained part of it, the rules changed in regards to the Palestinian refugees. It was understandably, a tough situation. However, Iran's presence and the Americans' own brought a form of judgment. Al Gore's talks were calculated, efficient and methodical. He was man doing his job and his tone, long joked as dull, now carried a dignified sort of tone to it. Boring yet reliable. However, that did not make it easy. While the Arab League may have discouraged its member states from granting citizenship to the Palestinian refugees, it did not stop like Jordan doing so, something which the United States encouraged since a bunch of people flooding into what is now Palestine would be a logistical nightmare for the would-be new nation.

Back at home, the promise of peace broguht excitement for politicians and while those steadfast to Israel voiced their concerns, as the talks went on and it became more difficult to defend certain points to Israel's foot-dragging.

220px-Ariel_Sharon_Headshot.jpg

Ariel Shanon, recently elected Prime Minister of Israel

The stance formed by Al Gore and his adminsitration was that of practicality and feasability. His speech noted on the difficulties of oving and starting a new life in a new nation with damaged infrastructure and on recognizing what is best with one's self and family. He even brought to mind his infamous "Do you have a plan? Logistics?" line that he used to address Bin Laden and his co-conspirators in regards to the failure of how many of these would-be "caliphate" groups did not really care on how to build a nation or care for its people. They were more focused on picking fights with his neighbors while neglecting his family in their decaying home. The gradual improvements of life in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban and Al-Queda there served as the backdrop for Gore's rhetoric. The talks did bring about a growing change within the communities. The rhetoric was plain and mundane yet truthful.

Nonetheless, the talks continued over to the summer. The first major milestone was completed in that a majority of the Palestinian Jordanians would decline returning back, having made a life over in Jordan. However, Lebanon remained an issue with which Iran and the US was putting pressure and on and many nations eyed warily at Syria. In fact, out of all of them, Syria was the only real troublesome one and thus the US began discussions within the UN in regards to a potential refugee crisis should something happen in Syria, especially a war with Iraq. Meanwhile, with their improving relationships, the presidents of Iran and the United States also began talking about something Iran was surprised to hear... Saudi Arabia...
 
Last edited:
Gore Administration- Summer 2003
Summer 2003

"Well, President Gore has done what we all thought was impossible. Alot of happy people right now."

"Now Martha Stewart?! Goddamn it, I am not surprised. More and more financial fraud. Terrorists? Feh. These guys are the real problem."

"For people advocating for small government, there was a stink raised by the against removing the sodomy laws."

After months of debate, recounciliations and compromises, the miracle has occurred. The creation of the State of Palestine and their mutual co-existence and recognition with Israel. It took a lot of effort and even now, plenty of problems had remained. However, it took some out of the box thinking to resolve some of the issues. Israel would not have to be in charge of any of the refugee crisises, though in the event of an emergancy, they could hold some of the people there (and this issue was moe mainly brought up by thr growing tensions of Syria and Iraq, something they reluctantly agreed to.) Some prominent Israelites and groups did adopt Palestinian Arab refugee children to be raised as Israelis though. Palestine meanwhile would have to deal with American, Jordanian and Iranian forces reinforcing the peace for the time being, namely to ensure the elimination of radical groups. The process of withdrawal would be over a year and the various Israelis would be encouraged move or remain behind and become residents.

Israel meanwhile became more volatile in the populace over the people having to move back though the US and Europe have offered the would-be displaced Israelis some deals to move in. Meanwhile, Lebandon was browbeaten by its neighbors to provide greater humanitarian rights and opportunities to the Palestinian refugees. Saudi Arabia had refused to and Syria remained a time bomb for them, issues that were still being resolved. Some plans were being held for some nations to host Palestinian/Syrian refugees, included but not limtied to a few European nations, Turkey, the US and Canada. For now though, after three months of talks with the inclusion of Iran, near the end of August, the State of Palestine was born.

upload_2019-7-28_17-57-52.png


However, not all of it was positive news. The big question of Jerusalem remained the driving point of contention as neither side was willing to give it up and the debates on the fate of Jerusalem would continue on over the years.For the time being, Tel Aviv would serve as an impromptu capital for Israel while Palestine had to make due with Ramallah. The US had side-stepped the Jerusalem question for the time-being.

Beyond the lingering tensions with Israel, growing tensions existed between the Gore Administration and Saudi Arabia. The US subtlety blocked Saudi Arabian organizations and influences in Palestine, partly out of their issue with the Palestinian non-citizenship stance, but moreover, because of the US/Iran talks. Under Gore, the focus began shifting more toward the influence of the House of Saud and Wahhabism. It was brought up over in a conference by Al Gore when asked about Islam. Gore went on to explain on Wahhabism, its disdain by the orthodox Islam branches and mainstream Muslims as well as its corruptive influence. Al Gore went so far as to compare Wahhabism to the infamous Westboro Baptist Church in ideology and the only differences were Wahhabism's access to the millions in oil money and alliances with powerful groups to spread their twisted version of the faith over decades. He even asked the nation and especially Christians how they would feel if the world thought that all Christians were just like the Westboro Baptist Church followers.

To the mainstream, it caused many to be itnerested in the Westboro Baptist Church and Google searches rose. The reaction was of appropriate shock and horror along with self-reflection. While there was an unfortunate increase of anti-Muslim violence followign 9/11, it began dropping over time, but Gore's speech led to its sharpest decline. The WBC unsurprisingly were harsh in their stance, including Fred Phelps, which just cemented it. This led to the term of being a "Westboro Baptist wannabe" becoming an insult, used to decribe a religious reactionary, especially if also to accuse them of corrupting a faith. One of the oddest places it saw use was an Israel, as some of the adolescence used it to refer to some of the ultraorthodox rabbis there. On a lighter scale, the US encouraged Jordanian influence on Palestine with Gore later extending it to Iran as a show of good faith. The rest of the Middle East celeberated at the end of harsh times and while some of the compromises did not make them happy, it was still a time to breath a bit easier. Things could get better now. All but Saudi Arabia, who found themselves a bit colder with the US.

Meanwhile, back at home, the Americans were momentarily distracted from the issues abroad with surprising new news. The federal investigation into Martha Stewart and her broker brought more than a few laughs, but added yet another point of miscontention toward the wealthy and influencial for their financial chicanery. A couple of shootings and a pizza guy being used as a walking bomb also surprised the people and while the talks of issues abroad were brought up, it reminded people that more often than not, the true troublemakers looked like them.

martha184.jpg

Martha Stewart being indicted

Despite this, time and life goes on. The Gore Administration kept examining healthcare and contineud to examine how to continue to gently assist in the economy humming along. While green energy sources were being promoted, not much was going on in terms of real progress and change being made. But that would begin changing soon as Al Gore maintained further investigations into various groups and corporations while trying to find solutions. However, one fil kept bringing a smile to his eye. Within months, he would be ready for perhaps his grandest move yet since this within the Middle East. Meanwhile though, he heard from an intern about a new website called Myspace. It was a very fascinating website, being used by the growing youth to communicate and socialize with one another. Gore had a panel for this sort of stuff on the net and while the dotcom bubble hurt, the Internet remained a powerful tool and one not to be ignored. Not the first of its kind, but Al Gore talked to his advisors and sought some form of promise within Myspace. A special White House account was made onto Myspace, something that got the attention over the folks running the place. Another larger impact within the pop culture was a new form of legislation. Since the surprising attention of the court case on the public domain, a new law was being formed to help address it. The Public Domain Enhancement Act (PDEA) was introduced. It was made with two aims on expanding the public domain. One was to move the cut-off date of public domain works from 1923 to 1948, allowing 25 years of American works to end the public domain. The arguments for it were to allow certain works to be brought into the public domain. Reasons for this was the lack of American-produced works in the public domain compared to European works and that it was a disservice on how many American classics had been relegated to obscruity over the years. The second one was moreover to allow copyrighted works which have been abandoned by their owners, orphaned works, to enter the public domain. Unsurprisigly, there was a fair bit of conflict and arguments, with various entertainment groups voicing their concerns. Others vouched for a registry of works that were in the public domain, but there was the advocation for expanding it, especially with some news groups referring to the "Mickey Mouse" aspect because of lobbying made by Disney. Others thought to change the years from 25 to 20 or even 15. Others just went to putting orphaned works into the public domain. Proponents have suggested that copyright holders may be motivated to oppose the PDEA by a competitive threat: a huge wave of abandoned works would spill into the public domain which could form the basis of new derived works that would compete commercially with established copyrighted works. This one struck a chord perhaps because of the growing suspicion over toward big businesses. Debate of the bill went into the Fall...
 
Last edited:
I think that what he meant was that Al Gore seems to be able to solve every problem the US and the world is facing without much trouble, like he is some kind of reincarnation of Jesus.

There’s still a lot of problems and saying he’s solving everyone one is a vast overshoot. He’d just be better than Bush
 
There’s still a lot of problems and saying he’s solving everyone one is a vast overshoot. He’d just be better than Bush
Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying this TL so far, but imo Al Gore solving the Israel-Palestine issue is a case of ASB. Add to that the fact that he's seemingly about to solve climate change all on his own and I can get why some would ask when Al Gore is going to walk on water.
 
Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying this TL so far, but imo Al Gore solving the Israel-Palestine issue is a case of ASB. Add to that the fact that he's seemingly about to solve climate change all on his own and I can get why some would ask when Al Gore is going to walk on water.

Well, it's more basically taking advantage of a bunch of factors. Iran offering to play nice just makes it more awkward for Israel to try and justify things and factors beforehand have caused tensions to cool down some more. Plus, while the nations are made, there's still alot of potential problems and unexpected side effects that would be occuring.

That and I also got this from looking at what others have speculated and could've done.

As for climate change, he's just pushing further awareness, but actually hasn't done really done much of anything yet so just saying he's solving it on his own is not correct. He's mroe sowing the seeds and confronting the issue 8 years earlier than OTL.

Larger changes are coming and stuff is lining up.
 
Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying this TL so far, but imo Al Gore solving the Israel-Palestine issue is a case of ASB. Add to that the fact that he's seemingly about to solve climate change all on his own and I can get why some would ask when Al Gore is going to walk on water.

The Israel Palestine element is utterly ASB. Unless you have a hard-core leftwing and secular government come in in 2003 (and its unclear how that would happen) Sharon could never give up Jerusalem and return to simply controlling West Jerusalem. You would need something like Labor, Meretz and Hadash controlling 80 seats to make this viable. You are suggesting a center-right government. In the context of Israeli politics this means the religious parties hold the balance. If Sharon tries to give up East Jerusalem (which is where the holy sites are) these parties bolt immediately and the government falls. In addition, I am highly skeptical that the Lebanese would grant citizenship to the refugees. Adding a large number of (mostly Sunni) Palestinians would destabilize their political dynamic.
 
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.

90

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.
 
Last edited:
The Israel Palestine element is utterly ASB. Unless you have a hard-core leftwing and secular government come in in 2003 (and its unclear how that would happen) Sharon could never give up Jerusalem and return to simply controlling West Jerusalem. You would need something like Labor, Meretz and Hadash controlling 80 seats to make this viable. You are suggesting a center-right government. In the context of Israeli politics this means the religious parties hold the balance. If Sharon tries to give up East Jerusalem (which is where the holy sites are) these parties bolt immediately and the government falls. In addition, I am highly skeptical that the Lebanese would grant citizenship to the refugees. Adding a large number of (mostly Sunni) Palestinians would destabilize their political dynamic.

Fair point, but things are changing. And the government is more center-center-right. I will reexamine the stuff on Lebanon though.
 
Fair point, but things are changing. And the government is more center-center-right. I will reexamine the stuff on Lebanon though.

The more center center right it is the more likely it is that religious parties will hold the balance (e.g. Shas).
 
Top