Land of Flatwater: Protect and Survive Middle America
- Thread starter Chipperback
- Start date
Land Of Flatwater: Orange Bowl '84
Orange Bowl -- Miami, Florida...January 2, 1984
A clear cool night in Miami and a sold out Orange Bowl. Orange, white and green clad Miami supporters mixed in with the larger numbers of fans wearing Nebraska scarlet and cream. "The whole state of Nebraska must be here," One Miami said as Chip and his family, all in Nebraska shirts , walked in.
Most of the state of Nebraska was here, even the Governor flew down the day before the game after meeting with his advisors.
Those who couldn't be at the stadium, where perched to their TV sets on a cold January night back home. Even those working where in front of a TV. Including a group of Army National Guard engineers deep in Fillmore County.
In the seats, another surprise...Chip got to his seat in the Orange Bowl...and there's Jill in the next seat.
"Somebody up there is liking me," Chip thought.
The Joy was squelched quickly by Miami's fast start. Nebraska's defense was stunned by the lighting quick Miami offense and the darts their young quarterback Bernie Kosar was throwing. By mid-second quarter, the Huskers were down 17-0
Chip was frowning. His team was not only losing, they were getting killed.
"Buck up, son," His dad said. "Remember your Bowl Game? You were down, too and you came back."
10 seconds after his dad said that. The Nebraska quarterback got the snap and placed the ball on the ground...The Huskers' Outland Trophy winning guard picked the ball up...."FUMBLEROOSKY!" Chip and Jill yelled....It was the trick play and the burly lineman ran the ball 21 yards for a touchdown. Nebraska was on the board, and they weren't done.
The next time they had the ball, Chip's hero Turner Gill weaves his way for 40 yards on a third down pass play that was broken. Three play after that He ran the ball in for a score from 1 yard out. People wearing Red could breathe and cheer again. The Huskers fought back to end the first half trailing by 3 at 17-14.
But Miami regain their tempo and by the end of third quarter they led again 31-17, and at the start of the fourth more bad news. Nebraska's best runner Mike Rozier, the 1983 Heisman Trophy Winner as the best nation's best play was out for the game due to injury.
Jill felt hopeless. She just covered her eyes. "I can't watch anymore. I just can't!"
Chip forced himself to watch. "C'mon Turner," he pleaded. "It's up to you."
"The Huskers played even harder on defense, and didn't let Miami move the ball. Offensively, the backup runner, Jeff Smith was running wild through the Hurricanes. He snapped up three runs ended with a touchdown to bring cut Miami's lead to 31-24, but his best moment was yet to come.
Miami missed a field goal which would have pretty much ended the game. And Nebraska moved the ball. Gill threw a long pass to Irving Fryar to put the Huskers in the Hurricanes' side of the field. But then the Hurricane defense stiffened...and Nebraska was faced with a 4th down and 8 on Miami's 22. 58 seconds left in the game. If Nebraska couldn't gain 8 yards, the game was over. Miami would win.
Every red clad soul in the stadium was giving up a vocal cord to their team. Nebraska had twice fought back on Miami's home field. Could they keep the championship dream alive? What happened three days ago didn't matter. The extra troops and security didn't matter. The F-16s and F-4 keeping constant watch over the skies in Miami didn't matter.
Being far away from home with hostile forces massing maybe 65 clicks away in Germany didn't matter for Tony and a bunch of Nebraska troops watching the Armed Forces Television broadcast of the game.
What matter was seeing the Huskers break the huddle. Gill under the center...On the snap, he faked a quick pass and then ran parallel to the line of scrimmage. Coach Osborne decided to live or die on the option play.
The Quarterback held onto the ball long enough for the Miami defensive ends and linebacker to commit to tackling him. The defensive end got Gill in the grasp, the quarterback would be tackled...the game would be over....but the quarterback pitched the ball to Jeff Smith who had open field down the right sideline...He bolted for the 8 yards to keep the ball, but some downfield blocks opened the door to more...a lot more...He made one more move the the five and then banged into the Miami safety to score the touchdown.
You could hear the stadium cheers all the way back in Nebraska. The Huskers had a chance to tie the game. They were down 31-30. Kick the extra point and the game would probably end tied, and Nebraska as the nation's only unbeaten team would be declared the National Champs.
But that isn't what Chip was thinking. His 12-year old mind didn't grasp the concept of a tie. "We have to go for the two-point conversion," He yelled to his dad, "It's the only way we can win."
Tom Osborne must have felt the same way. The offensive team was going back out, not the kicker."
Some Miami fans sitting behind we shouting, "They are going for two!!! Whoa...That's takes guts."
The Huskers lied up 2 yard away from the endzone. Miami moved a lot of there defenders up looking for that option again. On the snap, Turner Gill ran to his right and cocked his arm to throw the ball..The defensive end jumped up, but he saw the receivers he wanted where covered...He tucked the ball pinned on the sideline, broke a tackle juked a second and then dove for the endzone. Three different moves...one result...Nebraska fans raised a deafening roar. Against the odds, the Cornhuskers lead for the first time all night 32-31
Chip and Jill were jumping up and down. So was every Husker fan...but Chip's mom stayed worried..."Its not over yet," She pointed to the clock. It read :48.
The Nebraska kicked booted the ball into the far endzone for a touchback. Miami had the ball at their own 20. They maybe needed 50 yards to set up a game-winning field goal. And their hot hand passer moved the ball to midfield, where Nebraska risked a blitz..
The all-out rush on the quarterback left Miami's best receiver in single-coverage against Neil Harris...and the passer beat the Nebraska assault on him with a high arching throw...
The receiver was rocket fast, but Harris stayed with him, the pass started coming down...They would have to compete for it as the colors under their feet changed from green grass to end zone paint...
Both went up for the ball, but it ended up in Neil Harris' hands. The hero of the Oklahoma game had done it again. An interception in the end zone. The clock showed :14 left. The Huskers could run the clock out, and win their first National Championship since '71.
Chip was smiling through tears in his seat. "They did it! They did it!" He couldn't stop saying it. He was numb with shock and joy. He gave his dad a serious high five. He saw his mom smiling and cheering. Same with grandmother, grandfather and now hundreds of new close friends wearing Nebraska red with pride....and he felt a tiny arm around his waist.
"WE'RE THE CHAMPS!!!!!!" Jill screamed.
90 minutes later on the bus back to the hotel.
Coach Walt and Chip's dad were rehashing the entire game, just like every football mad adult male in the bus was. As they both were talking..Walk looked back on his daughter..Her head was on Chip's shoulder and Chip's arm was around her. The batteries on these high-energy kids finally had worn down. They were sound asleep, both reliving a dream that came true.
"Happy New Year," Walt thought to him self with a giddy smile.
Tuesday January 3, 1984 -- Miami International Airport
Hundreds of happy, but exhausted Nebraska fans boarded flights for home. There were jobs to get back to. Schools to go back to. Real life loomed ahead. But the buzz was still about a game some were calling the best college football game ever played. The morning edition of the Miami Herald showed the winning touchdown on the front page with the headline "TRUE GRIT".
Chip was a little sleepy still, but happy. He didn't want to leave Miami. It was so warm and he was having so much fun.
Ira teased his cousin a little, "You got a girlfriend," he joked,
Chip was blushing "Shut up, Ira."
Chip felt his heart beating faster again. He felt the goosebumps raised again. He thought about Jill the day the made a sand castle. Tanned, freckled and adorable.
"Your attention please. your attention please. All flights coming out of Miami International Airport are going to be delayed. Thank you for your patience."
"All the flights" asked more than one puzzled passenger. But there isn't a cloud in the sky. Whats the problem?"
Chip looked out the window. All Civilian traffic wasn't moving. It was clear weather. What could be the problem.
It was then that he saw the reason why. A group of F-15s screamed inti the air. Followed a couple of minutes later by a pair of widebodied DC-10s. Chip looked out of a different window and saw the fighters circling as they headed out to sea flanking the DC-10s.
Dad noticed, too so he asked the ticket clerk, "Why the delays," in a friendly tone. The Clerk at first just tried to deflect into the standard, "just flight delays on other cities.", but something told her to tell this guy the straight deal. "Sir, they are delaying takeoff just the make sure the skies are cleared out." She whispered. "Cuban jets were caught snooping the coastline again.
The plane got back to Omaha two hours late. And the delay was okay with Chip two extra hours to hang with Jill. When they got off the plane, Chip and Jill where hand-and-hand all the way up the jetway, in front of their parents and relatives and every other Husker fan onboard. Both wearing matching "Nebraska National Champs" T-shirts fresh of the printing press back at the hotel in Miami. Jill's dad got a picture of it..so did Chip's Mom.
Chip was smiling uncontrollably. At that moment, he was at total peace.
Orange Bowl -- Miami, Florida...January 2, 1984
A clear cool night in Miami and a sold out Orange Bowl. Orange, white and green clad Miami supporters mixed in with the larger numbers of fans wearing Nebraska scarlet and cream. "The whole state of Nebraska must be here," One Miami said as Chip and his family, all in Nebraska shirts , walked in.
Most of the state of Nebraska was here, even the Governor flew down the day before the game after meeting with his advisors.
Those who couldn't be at the stadium, where perched to their TV sets on a cold January night back home. Even those working where in front of a TV. Including a group of Army National Guard engineers deep in Fillmore County.
In the seats, another surprise...Chip got to his seat in the Orange Bowl...and there's Jill in the next seat.
"Somebody up there is liking me," Chip thought.
The Joy was squelched quickly by Miami's fast start. Nebraska's defense was stunned by the lighting quick Miami offense and the darts their young quarterback Bernie Kosar was throwing. By mid-second quarter, the Huskers were down 17-0
Chip was frowning. His team was not only losing, they were getting killed.
"Buck up, son," His dad said. "Remember your Bowl Game? You were down, too and you came back."
10 seconds after his dad said that. The Nebraska quarterback got the snap and placed the ball on the ground...The Huskers' Outland Trophy winning guard picked the ball up...."FUMBLEROOSKY!" Chip and Jill yelled....It was the trick play and the burly lineman ran the ball 21 yards for a touchdown. Nebraska was on the board, and they weren't done.
The next time they had the ball, Chip's hero Turner Gill weaves his way for 40 yards on a third down pass play that was broken. Three play after that He ran the ball in for a score from 1 yard out. People wearing Red could breathe and cheer again. The Huskers fought back to end the first half trailing by 3 at 17-14.
But Miami regain their tempo and by the end of third quarter they led again 31-17, and at the start of the fourth more bad news. Nebraska's best runner Mike Rozier, the 1983 Heisman Trophy Winner as the best nation's best play was out for the game due to injury.
Jill felt hopeless. She just covered her eyes. "I can't watch anymore. I just can't!"
Chip forced himself to watch. "C'mon Turner," he pleaded. "It's up to you."
"The Huskers played even harder on defense, and didn't let Miami move the ball. Offensively, the backup runner, Jeff Smith was running wild through the Hurricanes. He snapped up three runs ended with a touchdown to bring cut Miami's lead to 31-24, but his best moment was yet to come.
Miami missed a field goal which would have pretty much ended the game. And Nebraska moved the ball. Gill threw a long pass to Irving Fryar to put the Huskers in the Hurricanes' side of the field. But then the Hurricane defense stiffened...and Nebraska was faced with a 4th down and 8 on Miami's 22. 58 seconds left in the game. If Nebraska couldn't gain 8 yards, the game was over. Miami would win.
Every red clad soul in the stadium was giving up a vocal cord to their team. Nebraska had twice fought back on Miami's home field. Could they keep the championship dream alive? What happened three days ago didn't matter. The extra troops and security didn't matter. The F-16s and F-4 keeping constant watch over the skies in Miami didn't matter.
Being far away from home with hostile forces massing maybe 65 clicks away in Germany didn't matter for Tony and a bunch of Nebraska troops watching the Armed Forces Television broadcast of the game.
What matter was seeing the Huskers break the huddle. Gill under the center...On the snap, he faked a quick pass and then ran parallel to the line of scrimmage. Coach Osborne decided to live or die on the option play.
The Quarterback held onto the ball long enough for the Miami defensive ends and linebacker to commit to tackling him. The defensive end got Gill in the grasp, the quarterback would be tackled...the game would be over....but the quarterback pitched the ball to Jeff Smith who had open field down the right sideline...He bolted for the 8 yards to keep the ball, but some downfield blocks opened the door to more...a lot more...He made one more move the the five and then banged into the Miami safety to score the touchdown.
You could hear the stadium cheers all the way back in Nebraska. The Huskers had a chance to tie the game. They were down 31-30. Kick the extra point and the game would probably end tied, and Nebraska as the nation's only unbeaten team would be declared the National Champs.
But that isn't what Chip was thinking. His 12-year old mind didn't grasp the concept of a tie. "We have to go for the two-point conversion," He yelled to his dad, "It's the only way we can win."
Tom Osborne must have felt the same way. The offensive team was going back out, not the kicker."
Some Miami fans sitting behind we shouting, "They are going for two!!! Whoa...That's takes guts."
The Huskers lied up 2 yard away from the endzone. Miami moved a lot of there defenders up looking for that option again. On the snap, Turner Gill ran to his right and cocked his arm to throw the ball..The defensive end jumped up, but he saw the receivers he wanted where covered...He tucked the ball pinned on the sideline, broke a tackle juked a second and then dove for the endzone. Three different moves...one result...Nebraska fans raised a deafening roar. Against the odds, the Cornhuskers lead for the first time all night 32-31
Chip and Jill were jumping up and down. So was every Husker fan...but Chip's mom stayed worried..."Its not over yet," She pointed to the clock. It read :48.
The Nebraska kicked booted the ball into the far endzone for a touchback. Miami had the ball at their own 20. They maybe needed 50 yards to set up a game-winning field goal. And their hot hand passer moved the ball to midfield, where Nebraska risked a blitz..
The all-out rush on the quarterback left Miami's best receiver in single-coverage against Neil Harris...and the passer beat the Nebraska assault on him with a high arching throw...
The receiver was rocket fast, but Harris stayed with him, the pass started coming down...They would have to compete for it as the colors under their feet changed from green grass to end zone paint...
Both went up for the ball, but it ended up in Neil Harris' hands. The hero of the Oklahoma game had done it again. An interception in the end zone. The clock showed :14 left. The Huskers could run the clock out, and win their first National Championship since '71.
Chip was smiling through tears in his seat. "They did it! They did it!" He couldn't stop saying it. He was numb with shock and joy. He gave his dad a serious high five. He saw his mom smiling and cheering. Same with grandmother, grandfather and now hundreds of new close friends wearing Nebraska red with pride....and he felt a tiny arm around his waist.
"WE'RE THE CHAMPS!!!!!!" Jill screamed.
90 minutes later on the bus back to the hotel.
Coach Walt and Chip's dad were rehashing the entire game, just like every football mad adult male in the bus was. As they both were talking..Walk looked back on his daughter..Her head was on Chip's shoulder and Chip's arm was around her. The batteries on these high-energy kids finally had worn down. They were sound asleep, both reliving a dream that came true.
"Happy New Year," Walt thought to him self with a giddy smile.
Tuesday January 3, 1984 -- Miami International Airport
Hundreds of happy, but exhausted Nebraska fans boarded flights for home. There were jobs to get back to. Schools to go back to. Real life loomed ahead. But the buzz was still about a game some were calling the best college football game ever played. The morning edition of the Miami Herald showed the winning touchdown on the front page with the headline "TRUE GRIT".
Chip was a little sleepy still, but happy. He didn't want to leave Miami. It was so warm and he was having so much fun.
Ira teased his cousin a little, "You got a girlfriend," he joked,
Chip was blushing "Shut up, Ira."
Chip felt his heart beating faster again. He felt the goosebumps raised again. He thought about Jill the day the made a sand castle. Tanned, freckled and adorable.
"Your attention please. your attention please. All flights coming out of Miami International Airport are going to be delayed. Thank you for your patience."
"All the flights" asked more than one puzzled passenger. But there isn't a cloud in the sky. Whats the problem?"
Chip looked out the window. All Civilian traffic wasn't moving. It was clear weather. What could be the problem.
It was then that he saw the reason why. A group of F-15s screamed inti the air. Followed a couple of minutes later by a pair of widebodied DC-10s. Chip looked out of a different window and saw the fighters circling as they headed out to sea flanking the DC-10s.
Dad noticed, too so he asked the ticket clerk, "Why the delays," in a friendly tone. The Clerk at first just tried to deflect into the standard, "just flight delays on other cities.", but something told her to tell this guy the straight deal. "Sir, they are delaying takeoff just the make sure the skies are cleared out." She whispered. "Cuban jets were caught snooping the coastline again.
The plane got back to Omaha two hours late. And the delay was okay with Chip two extra hours to hang with Jill. When they got off the plane, Chip and Jill where hand-and-hand all the way up the jetway, in front of their parents and relatives and every other Husker fan onboard. Both wearing matching "Nebraska National Champs" T-shirts fresh of the printing press back at the hotel in Miami. Jill's dad got a picture of it..so did Chip's Mom.
Chip was smiling uncontrollably. At that moment, he was at total peace.
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The Soviets would likely begin mobilization of their Category-B units a week before hostilities began, since they only need a day or two to be brought up to full readiness. The Category-A divisions in the European USSR would also start moving west at the same time.
The divisions stationed in East Germany could theoretically attack right from their barracks, but a more likely scenario would see them moving to a start line twenty-four hours before the opening.
The divisions stationed in East Germany could theoretically attack right from their barracks, but a more likely scenario would see them moving to a start line twenty-four hours before the opening.
Land Of Flatwater: Reality Starts To Bite
The celebrations began in the locker room right after Nebraska's 32-31 victory over Miami in the Orange Bowl. It began with the congratulatory phone call to Tom Osborne by President Reagan. It stretched all the way from giddy Nebraskans who made the trip, all the way up to the state of Nebraska.
However, to paraphrase a previous championship coach, thousands of students in East Germany could care less. The student riots intensified and so did the Kremlin's response to it. Starting on January 5th, the Soviets installed a serious crackdown, including expelling all foreign press, that led up to a surprise address to the Supreme Soviet by Yuri Andropov on Sunday January 8th. If his body was ailing, the tone of the speech was not.
The American response was swift. President Reagan moved the United States to DEFCON 3.
BRIEFING ROOM -- Task Group TAILBACK 8 January 1984
"Did I hear that right sir?" Radioman said. The whole room was buzzing
"That's most damn affirm you did," the CO said. "NCA Called DEFCON 3 about 30 minutes ago.
Another voice asked. DEFCON 3? For us?"
"DEFCON 3 WORLDWIDE, soldier."
A hush fills the room.
"Between what is going down in East Germany right now. What been happening with the Cubans over the last week, now Premier Shoot-Ya-Mouth-Off threatening Berlin? I'm surprised the old man didn't take us to DEFCON 2 on principle."
The Commanding Officer chose his words carefully. He's looking at a room full of scared Americans, Frenchmen, Germans and Dutchmen. They knew that they'd have to take their MBTs to battle a force that outnumbered them 3-to-1..and that's being kind.
"Men. They have the numbers. We have the know-how. And we have help coming on the way. Everyday more of our people are getting in the game. We hope we don't have to play this game, but if those bastards cross the border, make no mistake gentlemen WE MUST STOP THEM! We know our tactics. We know what we will do. We will drill and train and be ready so if that moment comes they'll know that they want no part of battling us.
National Guard Hanger -- Lincoln, Nebraska Municipal Airport -- January 9, 1984 0600 Central Standard Time.
A group of 70 ANG medics have their BDUs and field packs ready, and a waiting military transport on the tarmac.
The Commander is here...so is a Governor who hasn't had much rest in the last few days.
"DEFCON 3," The Governor mused. "Andropov must have really got under Reagan's skin with that talk about Berlin."
"Either Yuri really is ill or he's crazy. Either way movement is happening. The bulk of ANG units going into theatre will be medics and logistics. We will have enough ready force to aid state continuity."
"Whats the word on Fillmore County?"
"Both will be "go" by the end of the month if not sooner," the Commander said. "Don't you have a big speech today."
"Yes, start of the unicameral session. State of the state."
Are you going to push for the emergency funding."
"Oh yeah," the Governor said. "We may need those projects sooner than we'd think."
The Governor moved into the crowd of citizen-soldiers and shook each one's hand and talked to them. He remember being this very same people 18 years ago. The Governor came back alive, but without a leg. "I hope you all come home in better shape than I did," he thought.
In the news tonight, the NATO alliance considers it's moves amid a Soviet crackdown in East Germany and the Soviet leader making threats towards Berlin. Locally, international events could force a change in the legislative schedule for the new session of the Nebraska Unicameral. The Governor today unveiled an emergency funding bill directly targetted to state emergency management and law enforcement.
Downtown Omaha -- Thursday January 12, 1984
Chip's Dad was at the Barber's Warehouse. If you cut heads in Omaha, this is where you get best supplies. And when you are a full partner in a business, you get the best.
At the same time, a stubbly, fit man is eyeing him. He look nearly the same age as Chip's dad. He recognizes him and calls to him on the way out the store.
"Ed, whacha doin' man?"
Chip's dad turned around. "Rick?"
"Hey Ed," Rick smiled. They haven't seen too much of each other in the last couple of years, but in high school they were inseparable.
"Been trying to get in touch with you, with what went on my folks and tryi"It's just good to see you Rick," Chip's Dad said. "What bring you all the way out from...Schuyler?
"Yeah Schuyler," Rick said. "Just some thing with my parents I have to deal with. I see you have your own barber shop now."
"Me and two partners, man. Its a struggle. I'm glad Gail has the good job teaching."
"Rick smiled. "Yeah, I know. That woman is the best thing that ever happened to you. And how's little Chip? He's still the smartest little kid alive."
"Yeah, smart kid with a smart mouth.."
"Well, you know where he got that from.."
Rick turned serious. "Ed, I called your mom last night. I was going to try to call you today. I'm glad I ran into you. Listen Ed, you have to run back to the shop right now?"
"I was going to lunch, why?"
"Ed, I need to talk to you about something...friend to friend.."
"Okay...you know our favorite spot is right down the street..."
The two old friends made their way to 16th street, and King Fong's Restaurant. A bit of China nestled in downtown. They walked into the elegant dining room got some menus and took a seat. When the food came, the conversation was serious.
"Alright Rick," Ed said. "What is on your mind."
Rick paused to hear the radio buzzing through the restaurant. It was tuned to KFAB.
"At this hour, the Pentagon announced that additional Naval task forces will be sent on patrol in the Pacific and off the coast of Florida amid growing reports of Soviet encrouchment on American and allied waters. In Moscow, the Soviet defense ministry condemned the United States siting hostile reconnaissance of their coastlines and airspace. Here at home, the Unicameral continued debate over the Governor's emergency management funding bill this week. Omaha State Senator Ernie Chambers is leading strong opposition to the measure citing planks within the bill giving broad powers to law enforcement without oversight.
"That's what i want to talk about, Ed."
"You and my son, Rick," Chip's Dad nodded.
"Hear me out bro. Shit is about to get real thick real quick."
"You really think everybody's gonna lose their mind like this?"
I saw what happens when they lose their mind, I went to Vietnam just like your brother Ralph remember?"
"I remember"
"How is Ralphie"
"Still crazy and still in the Air Force. He flies B-52s can you believe his crazy ass in the B-52?"
Rick laughed over his fried rice and a beer.
Rick looked at his friend hard. "What are your plans if the bombs come?"
Ed saw the intensity in Rick's eyes. "I don't know. My grandmama's house has a bomb shelter in it. I have all non-perishable C-Rations Ralph gives me. Other than that. I haven't thought about it.
"Look man, don't fuck around with this, homeboy. If you, your wife your son and your wife's sister and her kid, I remember them too, need a place away from what could end being whats left of Omaha, you are more than welcome to come out to farm with me, Rhonda and my kids. In fact, Ed. I insist upon it, brother."
Chip's father was taken aback. "I'm sure you got some family you need to take care of. Besides, if it goes to hell, who'd want to survive?"
"Why? because of all the people back in high school, who always treated me like a brother. On the track team, in school on the street. Remember that riot in our high school back in '68. You took up for me, and you didn't have to do that. But you did. You've always been a friend. When I was going through all the things coming back from Nam, and i got in the that trouble? You got me out. Hell, I wouldn't know my wife if it wasn't for you."
"Besides," Rick said. "We're country boys. Country boys find a way to make it through. We always do. You may think you won't want to live, but something deep inside your guts and your balls will force you to try. It's a human instinct that comes from a lot farther than us, man. Maybe the idiots in Washington and Moscow have turned theirs off, but people who've had to fight for everything, it never shuts off whether on a ball field or a battlefield.
Rick handed Ed a card with a phone number and his address to the farm. "You let me know, bro. If nothing else, you spend a little time in the country and when it all blows over you go back to Omaha, but if it doesn't you'll have a fighting chance away from this place. The damn Russians will blow Omaha to Kingdom Come."
to be continued.
The celebrations began in the locker room right after Nebraska's 32-31 victory over Miami in the Orange Bowl. It began with the congratulatory phone call to Tom Osborne by President Reagan. It stretched all the way from giddy Nebraskans who made the trip, all the way up to the state of Nebraska.
However, to paraphrase a previous championship coach, thousands of students in East Germany could care less. The student riots intensified and so did the Kremlin's response to it. Starting on January 5th, the Soviets installed a serious crackdown, including expelling all foreign press, that led up to a surprise address to the Supreme Soviet by Yuri Andropov on Sunday January 8th. If his body was ailing, the tone of the speech was not.
The American response was swift. President Reagan moved the United States to DEFCON 3.
BRIEFING ROOM -- Task Group TAILBACK 8 January 1984
"Did I hear that right sir?" Radioman said. The whole room was buzzing
"That's most damn affirm you did," the CO said. "NCA Called DEFCON 3 about 30 minutes ago.
Another voice asked. DEFCON 3? For us?"
"DEFCON 3 WORLDWIDE, soldier."
A hush fills the room.
"Between what is going down in East Germany right now. What been happening with the Cubans over the last week, now Premier Shoot-Ya-Mouth-Off threatening Berlin? I'm surprised the old man didn't take us to DEFCON 2 on principle."
The Commanding Officer chose his words carefully. He's looking at a room full of scared Americans, Frenchmen, Germans and Dutchmen. They knew that they'd have to take their MBTs to battle a force that outnumbered them 3-to-1..and that's being kind.
"Men. They have the numbers. We have the know-how. And we have help coming on the way. Everyday more of our people are getting in the game. We hope we don't have to play this game, but if those bastards cross the border, make no mistake gentlemen WE MUST STOP THEM! We know our tactics. We know what we will do. We will drill and train and be ready so if that moment comes they'll know that they want no part of battling us.
National Guard Hanger -- Lincoln, Nebraska Municipal Airport -- January 9, 1984 0600 Central Standard Time.
A group of 70 ANG medics have their BDUs and field packs ready, and a waiting military transport on the tarmac.
The Commander is here...so is a Governor who hasn't had much rest in the last few days.
"DEFCON 3," The Governor mused. "Andropov must have really got under Reagan's skin with that talk about Berlin."
"Either Yuri really is ill or he's crazy. Either way movement is happening. The bulk of ANG units going into theatre will be medics and logistics. We will have enough ready force to aid state continuity."
"Whats the word on Fillmore County?"
"Both will be "go" by the end of the month if not sooner," the Commander said. "Don't you have a big speech today."
"Yes, start of the unicameral session. State of the state."
Are you going to push for the emergency funding."
"Oh yeah," the Governor said. "We may need those projects sooner than we'd think."
The Governor moved into the crowd of citizen-soldiers and shook each one's hand and talked to them. He remember being this very same people 18 years ago. The Governor came back alive, but without a leg. "I hope you all come home in better shape than I did," he thought.
In the news tonight, the NATO alliance considers it's moves amid a Soviet crackdown in East Germany and the Soviet leader making threats towards Berlin. Locally, international events could force a change in the legislative schedule for the new session of the Nebraska Unicameral. The Governor today unveiled an emergency funding bill directly targetted to state emergency management and law enforcement.
Downtown Omaha -- Thursday January 12, 1984
Chip's Dad was at the Barber's Warehouse. If you cut heads in Omaha, this is where you get best supplies. And when you are a full partner in a business, you get the best.
At the same time, a stubbly, fit man is eyeing him. He look nearly the same age as Chip's dad. He recognizes him and calls to him on the way out the store.
"Ed, whacha doin' man?"
Chip's dad turned around. "Rick?"
"Hey Ed," Rick smiled. They haven't seen too much of each other in the last couple of years, but in high school they were inseparable.
"Been trying to get in touch with you, with what went on my folks and tryi"It's just good to see you Rick," Chip's Dad said. "What bring you all the way out from...Schuyler?
"Yeah Schuyler," Rick said. "Just some thing with my parents I have to deal with. I see you have your own barber shop now."
"Me and two partners, man. Its a struggle. I'm glad Gail has the good job teaching."
"Rick smiled. "Yeah, I know. That woman is the best thing that ever happened to you. And how's little Chip? He's still the smartest little kid alive."
"Yeah, smart kid with a smart mouth.."
"Well, you know where he got that from.."
Rick turned serious. "Ed, I called your mom last night. I was going to try to call you today. I'm glad I ran into you. Listen Ed, you have to run back to the shop right now?"
"I was going to lunch, why?"
"Ed, I need to talk to you about something...friend to friend.."
"Okay...you know our favorite spot is right down the street..."
The two old friends made their way to 16th street, and King Fong's Restaurant. A bit of China nestled in downtown. They walked into the elegant dining room got some menus and took a seat. When the food came, the conversation was serious.
"Alright Rick," Ed said. "What is on your mind."
Rick paused to hear the radio buzzing through the restaurant. It was tuned to KFAB.
"At this hour, the Pentagon announced that additional Naval task forces will be sent on patrol in the Pacific and off the coast of Florida amid growing reports of Soviet encrouchment on American and allied waters. In Moscow, the Soviet defense ministry condemned the United States siting hostile reconnaissance of their coastlines and airspace. Here at home, the Unicameral continued debate over the Governor's emergency management funding bill this week. Omaha State Senator Ernie Chambers is leading strong opposition to the measure citing planks within the bill giving broad powers to law enforcement without oversight.
"That's what i want to talk about, Ed."
"You and my son, Rick," Chip's Dad nodded.
"Hear me out bro. Shit is about to get real thick real quick."
"You really think everybody's gonna lose their mind like this?"
I saw what happens when they lose their mind, I went to Vietnam just like your brother Ralph remember?"
"I remember"
"How is Ralphie"
"Still crazy and still in the Air Force. He flies B-52s can you believe his crazy ass in the B-52?"
Rick laughed over his fried rice and a beer.
Rick looked at his friend hard. "What are your plans if the bombs come?"
Ed saw the intensity in Rick's eyes. "I don't know. My grandmama's house has a bomb shelter in it. I have all non-perishable C-Rations Ralph gives me. Other than that. I haven't thought about it.
"Look man, don't fuck around with this, homeboy. If you, your wife your son and your wife's sister and her kid, I remember them too, need a place away from what could end being whats left of Omaha, you are more than welcome to come out to farm with me, Rhonda and my kids. In fact, Ed. I insist upon it, brother."
Chip's father was taken aback. "I'm sure you got some family you need to take care of. Besides, if it goes to hell, who'd want to survive?"
"Why? because of all the people back in high school, who always treated me like a brother. On the track team, in school on the street. Remember that riot in our high school back in '68. You took up for me, and you didn't have to do that. But you did. You've always been a friend. When I was going through all the things coming back from Nam, and i got in the that trouble? You got me out. Hell, I wouldn't know my wife if it wasn't for you."
"Besides," Rick said. "We're country boys. Country boys find a way to make it through. We always do. You may think you won't want to live, but something deep inside your guts and your balls will force you to try. It's a human instinct that comes from a lot farther than us, man. Maybe the idiots in Washington and Moscow have turned theirs off, but people who've had to fight for everything, it never shuts off whether on a ball field or a battlefield.
Rick handed Ed a card with a phone number and his address to the farm. "You let me know, bro. If nothing else, you spend a little time in the country and when it all blows over you go back to Omaha, but if it doesn't you'll have a fighting chance away from this place. The damn Russians will blow Omaha to Kingdom Come."
to be continued.
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Just a note to elucidate a bit: Cheyenne, Wyoming is not where Cheyenne Mountain is located; that's outside of Colorado Springs. F.E. Warren AFB is in Cheyenne, Wyoming, however - that base owns the missile fields in SE Wyoming/NE Colorado/SW Nebraska. That entire area is gonna get plastered and bad.
Jason...GREAT FIND! I have been looking for that CBS News special for years.Thanks for pulling my coat to that, man!
I got to meet Mr. Rather when he was in Omaha filming this. That was a scary simulation to watch. It was the top story on Action News 6 that night.
Everybody if you get a chance, hit that link. Very interesting discussion.
Glad to be of service.
I grew up and lived in Des Moines at the time, and was only 8 when the documentary came out, so I missed it the first time, but it's still very interesting.
Apparently it was actually a five-parter, run over five nights in June 1981...would love to see the other four parts, but they don't appear to be available.
Chipperback that's a very good start to the story I have to say, very detailled and very clear. It is obvious that some chunks of it are autobiographical, but it just adds realism to the story so that's absolutely awesome!
At least it looks like the powers that be in Nebraska are somewhat prepared for whatever might befell their state. America's decentralised governmental structure is going to be a huge asset in the crisis and more importantly during the reconstruction and recovery period.
At least it looks like the powers that be in Nebraska are somewhat prepared for whatever might befell their state. America's decentralised governmental structure is going to be a huge asset in the crisis and more importantly during the reconstruction and recovery period.
I figured you were, and I was being a bit pedantic, but I wanted to clarify for the sake of anyone who didn't know the lay of the land, so to speak.
This is just terrific so far. Captures the times perfectly.
/editor hat on
If I could make a small, humble suggestion, it would be to review some of your dialogue between the characters. There's a hip-hop influence to some of the slang that wouldn't have been there in 1984; "homeboy" wasn't a term one would have heard for almost another decade. I hate to nitpick, but this is so incredibly good that such a small detail being off is a bit jarring for those of us who lived through these times.
/editor hat off
Again, just an amazing job. This is very high quality writing with an exceptional amount of detail and very rich character development. I'm eagerly awaiting more.
/editor hat on
If I could make a small, humble suggestion, it would be to review some of your dialogue between the characters. There's a hip-hop influence to some of the slang that wouldn't have been there in 1984; "homeboy" wasn't a term one would have heard for almost another decade. I hate to nitpick, but this is so incredibly good that such a small detail being off is a bit jarring for those of us who lived through these times.
/editor hat off
Again, just an amazing job. This is very high quality writing with an exceptional amount of detail and very rich character development. I'm eagerly awaiting more.
An extremely well written and engaging story Chipperback, though I'm not looking forward to what's coming next.
Land Of Flatwater: Winds of Change
Jump down the shelters to get away
The boys are cockin' up their guns
Tell us general, is it party time?
If it is can we all come.
In the world headlines today -- Mass demonstrations broke out in Gdansk and Warsaw Poland today organized by the outlaw Solidarity trade union, the demonstrations are in protest to the Soviet crackdown on student riots in East Germany. Polish security police responded by firing tear gas on the protests. Unofficial estimate say over 50 demonstrators were killed, and at least 600 more arrested. Western observers say this could immediately reinstate martial law in Poland and/or lead to direct Soviet intervention. In July last year, martial law was finally lifted after an 18-month government crackdown
In the middle east -- Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir warned Syria over continued aggression in the Golan Heights in light of an aerial battle between Syrian and Israel jets Friday. "Our territory sovereignty will not bow to the Soviet puppet state of Hafez al-Assad." Shamir said. Syria still claims the Golan Heights as their territory, but has occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War, and annexed by Tel Aviv since 1981.
In national news -- As American forces stand on-edge worldwide, Naval Secretary John Lehman in a speech at the Naval Academy lashed out recent Soviet provacation toward Western Europe. "The Soviet Union wants to try to bully the entire world," Lehman said, "Well, I believe that the free world must face them down and if necessary knock them down."
in other news -- The finishing touches from two major events are taking shape. In Los Angeles, the Shrine Auditorium is being polished and ready for Sunday night's American Music Awards. Michael Jackson is expected to take home some hardware for his runaway hit album "Thriller"
On the other end of the country -- Florida prepares to host its second championship football game in less than a month as the final prep begins at Tampa Stadium for Super Bowl XVIII to be played January 22. The game will feature the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers, seeking their second Super Bowl win in three years, and the surprising AFC Champion Seattle Seahawks. Both teams got to this game by upset victories on the road in last Sunday's conference championships.
In local news -- More fierce debate on the Governors controversial emergency management funding bill. In an op-ed article published the five Nebraska newspapers the Mayor of Omaha urged support for the measure saying the measure, "Gives needed tools to make sure our state is prepared to help Nebraskans recover from a disaster. You can never have enough tools when you have to clean up a mess."
Teacher's Lounge/J. Sterling Morton Junior High School/Friday January 13, 1984
The end of another week, and Gail has just finished her lesson plans for Monday already. She could use the break this weekend, just like any teacher.
"Hey Gail girl," Mrs. Germaine said. "How you doing."
"I'll be doing better once i'm in a nice hot bubble bath, Marlene." Gail said.
"Now that sounds good. Well that be for two, you and the hubby."
"Now you hush," Gail laughed.
"You going to be at the Teacher's Union meeting next Tuesday," Marlene asked.
Gail was puzzled. "Is it that time already?"
"No this is a special meeting. I just found out this morning myself."
"What it is about?"
And that point two more teachers walked in.
"Hi Marlene, Hi Gail."
"Jan! Hi," Marlebne said. "I was just filing Gail in on the meeting.
"Any idea what the meeting as about?" Gail asked.
The other teacher, Ellen filled them in. She should know. She's the school's main union rep. "I was meaning to get to you sooner today, Gail. The main topic will be dealing with the current situation. Prepardness and so on."
Gail looked with interest. "The current situation in terms of..."
Ellen was a little sheepish. "Well, in case we have an emergency situation, given whats going on in Germany and all.."
Marlene was taken aback. "Really? Hmm.. I mean, I'm hearing some things here and there on the news, but I'm sure they won't go so far as to fight about it. Will they?
Jan chimed in, "Well I did talk to my parents last night, they're rattled right now."
Gail remembered that Jan's parents are still in the same home town where Jan grew up in Germany, just outside of Frankfurt. "What are they saying."
"They are considering leaving," Jan said somberly. "They live right in a likely path the Russians and East German armies would take if they invaded. And they heard from my brother in Berlin, he's looking to get out of there, too."
"There's other things too," Ellen said. "There's been a lot of things that have been happened that we need to be up to speed on. Procedures just in case we are under some type of national emergency."
"I'll be there," Gail said. "But I hope people don't get so worked up. Everybody starts sounding like my son."
Marlene chuckled, "Your son is glued to CNN daily isn't he."
"When he's not glued to his videogames, computer or ESPN," Gail said.
"Well he owns the current events quiz bowl in my class," Marlene said. "But it kind of spooks the other kids."
Church of the Living God/Sunday January 15, 1984
"An ye shall hear of wars and rumours of war: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet," the Pastor said.
"For nation shall rise against nation," he continued his cadance staying strong. "and kingdom against kingdom: an there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places."
"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
The church was often well-attended, but today it was more so. Its members and newcomers alike seeking a refuge from the growing worry of the world. The Pastor drew upon this for this Sunday message.
"Now, dear friends, given what we've been hearing for awhile this verse sums up the fear I feel. Yes, the fear I feel. I am a man of faith dear church...but I'm just as afraid as anybody right now."
"I have two nephews...who are in harms way, and I think of them. One of them is Air Force. He's a combat pilot. F-15 Eagle. He's in England right now. My other nephew is Navy. He's in a submarine."
"According to the church records, we have 60 parents who have children in the armed forces right now. I'm sure the number of higher once we include spouses, relatives, neighbors, friends..."
Ed shifted uneasily in his pew. He thought of his brother Ralph.
"Now dear hearts, " the Pastor comforted. "I know right now, we are shaken. We are scared. I know right now, we need comfort. We wonder...If there are wars and rumors of wars..where is our God?"
"When we hear the news and we hear a premier in Russia and president here...and a defense minister there, and a navy secretary here, and they a trading insults like kids on the playground we wonder...Where is our God?"
The Pastor, sounding sorrowful before, became steely. "We wonder as we see the shelters being readied and the officials nervous and our kids wondering if they'll see the next birthday..Where is our God? HE is in US, dear hearts. He is in our faith. I encourage you church, through your fear keep your faith. Through the worry, be mindful and prayerful and be mindful and prayerful for one another. Be especially prayerful for the leaders on both sides. Pray that they see reason. Pray that the can realize that Love for Our Creator means also respect for the Creation...and that doesn't mean that you go and blow it up...say Amen, church.
Amen!
A few hours later...
"YOU WANT TO WHAT???" Gail shrieked. "Ed, you done lost your damn mind. Why are you thinking about this...when did this all come about."
Ed was trying to calm his wife down. "Now baby, calm down let me explain this."
"Oh, I think you better," Gail tapped her foot nervously. One thing about Gail, when she got mad. She got mad.
Ed began, "It was Thursday, I saw Rick downtown. He came to me and talked to me about this.."
"And..." Gail said impatiently. "You said 'yes'"
"No I did not," Ed snapped and the calmed down. "But I have thought about it."
"Well unthink about it," Gail said. "Man, do you really think they are going to bomb everybody?" C'mon Ed, don't you think they know what happen if they do that? Huh?"
"Apparently not, if you've been watching the news," Ed chortled. "Notice how you haven't heard anybody talk about negotiation.."
"Do you think you and I and my son and going to run off to some damn middle no-damn where to hide in a damn hole," Gail asked.
Ed fired back. "It's a helluva lot better than dying apart.."
"There you go worrying over nothing.."
"Gail, are you sure," Ed asked. "What if the sirens go off while I'm at work and you and Chip are at school? Huh? I'm down here Northside, you and Chip are in West Omaha!"
Mom was ready to interrupt but Dad wasn't letting her, "According to our son, who is the family expert on the shit, we have maybe 30 minutes when an entire world is panicking. There's no way you'll be able to reach me, and I have no way of reaching you. According to that same 'expert' If we are down here when it hits we are dead. Our there, you guys might live through. Still, we would be in a situation where we die apart. I DON'T WANT THAT!"
Ed was nearly in tears. Gail's anger softened she sat by her husband. "Ed, remember what our Pastor said today. Faith."
Ed answered through soft tears, "I do, honey. I do. I have faith in God...but......You know, I always wondered why Chip was fired up about peace..About the CMB, OR whatever the hell its called!.."
"I'm kinda getting it now," Ed continued. "It about being on a beach with you like we were a couple of weeks ago. It about cheering for my kid. It about..living...It's about seeing your son with goo-goo eyes for some girl..."
"I've been meaning to talk to you about that, Ed," Gail said.
"Well, I think we've had that talk with Chip already, haven't we," Ed deadpanned.
"Cute," Gail said. "Listen, why would we want to even try to live. If its that bad."
Ed paused.."Because...its human to want to live. I know it in my gut. I just couldn't be sitting outside waiting for the bombs. Something at the last minute would scream at me to run or hide...I just don't want to be without you and Chip with me, if it happens."
Gail held Ed..."Honey," Gail said. "I love you, but I think you worry too much."
"Maybe so," Ed said. "But we can't pretend it isn't there. It could happen.
"Lets not talk about that now...just shush.." Gail said. "But, Ed? About that little girl that Chip likes?."
Ed rolled his eyes and smiled....but his mind also raced..."Did she really hear me?"
That night, news of the world gave way to glitz and glamour. Michael Jackson did own the American Music Awards. He took home 8 trophies, and the pundits were already projecting a Grammy Rush for the biggest artist on earth right now.
Monday January 16, 1984 -- Another positive sign. The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks both arrive in Tampa, Florida for a week of pre-Super Bowl hype. The White House annouced that U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz and Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko would meet in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday for a series of meeting aimed to work the crisis out.
Tuesday January 17, 1984 -- Possible Democratic challengers to President Reagan met for a pre-Iowa Caucus debate in Waterloo, Iowa. While all are stridently against Reagan's domestic agenda, each contender supports President Reagan's handling of the recent troubles.
Wednesday January 18, 1984 -- George Schultz leaves for Geneva. In honor of Schultz heading to peace talks in Switzerland MTV plays "99 Luftbaloons" every hour at the top of the hour. Vice President George Bush was critical MTV's impromptu "protest".
Thursday January 19, 1984 -- American negotiators, led by George Schultz meet Soviet negotiators, led by Andrei Gromyko for the first day of a summit in Geneva, Switzerland. It was a tense first day where Gromyko blamed the USA for agitation anti-Soviet sentiment in Eastern Europe.
Friday January 20, 1984 -- Opinion polls give Ronald Reagan a 65% job approval rating. At this time in 1983, Reagan was at 35%. When asked 'Do you approve of his handling of international affairs' His approval rating was at 74%
Saturday January 21, 1984 -- Peace demonstration in Hamburg fell into chaos as peace marchers clashed with anti-Soviet demonstrators. 7 dead, 62 injured, over 100 arrested.
Both Soviet and American negotiators put plans on the table in Geneva.
The United States plan called for both sides to pull forces back to pre-August 1, 1983 limit within Berlin. Begin redeployment by Noon Geneva time. Wednesday
The Soviet counterproposal called for a draw down of US Forces in Berlin to pre-August 1, allowance for the Soviet Union to keep of residual force to keep order in East Germany.
Each side rejected the others' proposal, and one member of each team got into a shouting match. One of many this week in Geneva.
Sunday January 22, 1984 -- Anatoly Dobrynin, the affable Soviet ambassador, was the guest on "The Week with David Brinkley". The Ambassador blamed the tense climate on the "an aggressive American administration who wants to engage in the brinksmanship of the past."
When asked about the Soviet cover-up of KAL Flight 007, Dobrynin was visibly upset and stormed off the ABC News set in a huff.
In a happier note, the Seattle Seahawks pulled off a big upset with a 38-31 win in Super Bowl XVIII. Running back Curt Warner was named the game's MVP after a Super Bowl-record 191 yards on 20 carries, and quarterback Jim Zorn, subbing for David Krieg who was injured in 2nd quarter, rallied the Seahawks with 2 fourth-quarter touchdown passes to outshine Joe Montana. The win gave head Chuck Knox his first Super Bowl championship.
State Capital Building/Lincoln -- Monday January 23, 1984
The Governor entered and some aided entered into Nebraska beautiful state capital building. The day was icy and cold.
"Governor is this a good idea," an aide asked. "What about how this will look in the press, and to the rest of the Unicameral. I don't agree with this sir."
The Governor strided confidently, wearing one of his "race" legs (The Governor is an avid marathoner), "We have to do this," The Governor said. "To get this bill done, and done quickly...We have to bring 'The Man' on board."
The Governor crosses some back catacombs in the state capital to reach 'The Man'. He was Nebraska's only black state senator, but he had grown in power in 14 years in the seat. He may have been one voice, but he was one powerful voice.
The legislative assistant came to the office door, "Governor?" He asked. "Good morning...he will see you now."
Despite being tucked away in a lower floor in a corner of the state capital, 'The Man' had an office that was quite senatorial. On one wall was a map of his Omaha district. Another wall was filled with varied press clipping and a lot of the hate mall he's gotten through the years. None of that hate mall ever fazed him. A proud, scholarly man. The senator took great pride in being the outsider, on being the other. The black man in the white legislature. The urbane man in a conservative rural state. The atheist in a religious heartland. Yet, he was a student of the legislative game and was becoming a master of it.
"Good morning Governor," The Man stated regally. "A pleasure to see our state's chief executive."
The Governor sat down in a chair opposite from his desk. "I think you know why I askED for the meeting."
"Of course," The Man said. "It about this emergency measure that I cannot let through the gates."
"Ernie, I have the majority I need to push this through."
"Then why are you here, Governor? If you have the means to push this through. You don't need me."
"I don't need you the filibuster this to hell and gone either," The Governor thought. He stayed on message. There was a bigger plan in mind.
"I didn't come here to fence with you, Senator," The Governor said. "Quite the opposite. I want you on board."
"You want me to back a bill that would call for suspended habea corpus if law enforcement deemed an emergency. Isn't that your job? Isn't that NEMA's job."
The Governor was calm outside but seething inside, "Who have you been talking to," He asked.
"I've talked to certain mayors, county commissioners. People in law enforcement."
"Well," the Governor said. "They're lying to you. The bill up front states that everything passes a constitutional smell test. It was drafted along side the judiciary. In an extraordinary situation, law enforcement and the national guard would be under civilian oversight."
"Even in the event of a 'national emergency' like this warmongering we are seeing now."
There the Governor did react non-verbally. "This is the real reason why a lot of the Unicameral doesn't like this sonabitch," he thought. "When brains were passed out, this guy cut the line twice. This is why I want to keep him close."
"Let's talk serious here, Senator. You come out publicly for this bill, hell, you can even say you don't support it, but you'll let the chip fall where they may. Notice the economic impact riders in it. We will change those riders to a process by which the work must get done by firms based in the district. We're talking massive money here for public works, and North Omaha could use some public works. That means jobs, Senator. It something you've been barking about since 1970."
The Senator listened hard. "Now you hear me," the Governor thought.
"And Ernie? I'm prepared to give you something you really want."
"And that is?"
"You let this bill through the gates, and I'll come out publicly for a moratorium on the death penalty. Think of it, Ernie. Getting rid of the electric chair. That is your white whale, Ahab. Imagine, a big picture of you on the dock with the harpoon in it's mouth."
The Governor felt himself smirk-smile. "Know the adversary and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles," The Governor thought.
Wednesday January 25, 1984 -- The Man publicly switches his support for the bill saying, "After consultations with Governor and key officials, I am confident of certain amendments that will be agreed to by all sides. I commend the Governor on bringing some forward thinking on an important issue to the public for the public good."
The Man exacted a few more concessions, but at the end the Governor got what he wanted.
Friday January 27, 1984 -- The Nebraska Unicameral passed the emergency management measure 40-9, the Governor signed it the same day.
"You got the win you wanted," The Mayor of Omaha said over the phone, "But how is dumping the death penalty going to play in '86 Governor? Me and the party would kind of like to see stay in the seat for awhile."
"Mike, I said I was calling for moratorium and it something I was planning to do anyway," The Governor said. "The bigger thing is the economic impacts. I throw Ernie's people a steak where in the past they only got a bone. They'd be fools not to take it."
"Either way, Walt will be pleased, that emergency funding can help here right now."
"What's the status?" The Governor quizzed.
"We have a lot of emergency functions done," the mayor said. "Our offsite control base with the county should be online within a week, but how much good will it do? Omaha may get wiped out."
"Either way, I need administrators that know what they are doing. I need you riding the county commissioners' wings out there. Also, its a matter of legitmacy. The average citizen needs to see people they see everyday, that means you. That means us. They need to see a neighbor, not some administrator. Its the only way we can maintain public order and get things done in an emergency."
"
The Governor said his goodbyes and talked to his assistant. He handed her a list, "I want you call the following people, tell them I'd like to meet with them tomorrow afternoon, ask them to drop whatever they're doing and give me an hour...and call over to South Stadium...Tell coach I'd like to drop by and talk to him next week."
Saturday Morning January 28, 1984..around 7a.m.
Chipper slept peacefully. His mind still on last night, at the skating rink at the edge of the city. The hang out...on Junior High night..
She was there. Red hair done in soft curly strands. Her freckles. The soft cotton candy lip gloss.
It was during the couples skate. She grabbed him away from two of his friends. "You are skating with me," she said emphatically. Chip didn't argue, and his boys gave him the business later.
Funny how it seems.....
Always in time, but never in line for dreams.
Head over heels, when toe to toe,
This is the sound of my soul. (This is the sound)
I bought a ticket to the world,
But now I've come back again.
Why do I find it hard to write the next line?
When I want the truth to be said.......
She nuzzled again him as the glided against it each other. Chip held her hand as they found their slow rhythm together. Sixteen wheels going the same direction.
"He's the cutest boy ever," she thought.
"Don't fall down, Chip," he thought.
After the skate, one of Jill's friend asked.. "Hey he was on the football team with my goofy brother,"
Jill smiled. "Yeah...that's my boyfriend!"
At that moment, Chip could have sprouted rocket engines and launched himself to the moon. He was that excited and happy.
"Did that really happen,?" he thought as he started waking up. "Then he saw the note under his pillow.
"Dear Chip, I like you a lot, and don't want you couple skating with anyone else. Jill xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox"
Chip stumbled out of bed and downstairs. That's where the cable box was. Still dreamy from last night, A new day and CNN smacked him in the face.
"At this hour, British police and security forces are dealing with riots in the Brixton area of London. The riots are seen as a reaction to the decision of the British government to institute emergency procedures to prepare the country for attack. Those actions included moving people out of hospitals and care homes and expanded police powers. Brixton's community, largely working class and black, rioted in 1981 in response to issues between citizens and local police."
to be continued...
Jump down the shelters to get away
The boys are cockin' up their guns
Tell us general, is it party time?
If it is can we all come.
In the world headlines today -- Mass demonstrations broke out in Gdansk and Warsaw Poland today organized by the outlaw Solidarity trade union, the demonstrations are in protest to the Soviet crackdown on student riots in East Germany. Polish security police responded by firing tear gas on the protests. Unofficial estimate say over 50 demonstrators were killed, and at least 600 more arrested. Western observers say this could immediately reinstate martial law in Poland and/or lead to direct Soviet intervention. In July last year, martial law was finally lifted after an 18-month government crackdown
In the middle east -- Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir warned Syria over continued aggression in the Golan Heights in light of an aerial battle between Syrian and Israel jets Friday. "Our territory sovereignty will not bow to the Soviet puppet state of Hafez al-Assad." Shamir said. Syria still claims the Golan Heights as their territory, but has occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War, and annexed by Tel Aviv since 1981.
In national news -- As American forces stand on-edge worldwide, Naval Secretary John Lehman in a speech at the Naval Academy lashed out recent Soviet provacation toward Western Europe. "The Soviet Union wants to try to bully the entire world," Lehman said, "Well, I believe that the free world must face them down and if necessary knock them down."
in other news -- The finishing touches from two major events are taking shape. In Los Angeles, the Shrine Auditorium is being polished and ready for Sunday night's American Music Awards. Michael Jackson is expected to take home some hardware for his runaway hit album "Thriller"
On the other end of the country -- Florida prepares to host its second championship football game in less than a month as the final prep begins at Tampa Stadium for Super Bowl XVIII to be played January 22. The game will feature the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers, seeking their second Super Bowl win in three years, and the surprising AFC Champion Seattle Seahawks. Both teams got to this game by upset victories on the road in last Sunday's conference championships.
In local news -- More fierce debate on the Governors controversial emergency management funding bill. In an op-ed article published the five Nebraska newspapers the Mayor of Omaha urged support for the measure saying the measure, "Gives needed tools to make sure our state is prepared to help Nebraskans recover from a disaster. You can never have enough tools when you have to clean up a mess."
Teacher's Lounge/J. Sterling Morton Junior High School/Friday January 13, 1984
The end of another week, and Gail has just finished her lesson plans for Monday already. She could use the break this weekend, just like any teacher.
"Hey Gail girl," Mrs. Germaine said. "How you doing."
"I'll be doing better once i'm in a nice hot bubble bath, Marlene." Gail said.
"Now that sounds good. Well that be for two, you and the hubby."
"Now you hush," Gail laughed.
"You going to be at the Teacher's Union meeting next Tuesday," Marlene asked.
Gail was puzzled. "Is it that time already?"
"No this is a special meeting. I just found out this morning myself."
"What it is about?"
And that point two more teachers walked in.
"Hi Marlene, Hi Gail."
"Jan! Hi," Marlebne said. "I was just filing Gail in on the meeting.
"Any idea what the meeting as about?" Gail asked.
The other teacher, Ellen filled them in. She should know. She's the school's main union rep. "I was meaning to get to you sooner today, Gail. The main topic will be dealing with the current situation. Prepardness and so on."
Gail looked with interest. "The current situation in terms of..."
Ellen was a little sheepish. "Well, in case we have an emergency situation, given whats going on in Germany and all.."
Marlene was taken aback. "Really? Hmm.. I mean, I'm hearing some things here and there on the news, but I'm sure they won't go so far as to fight about it. Will they?
Jan chimed in, "Well I did talk to my parents last night, they're rattled right now."
Gail remembered that Jan's parents are still in the same home town where Jan grew up in Germany, just outside of Frankfurt. "What are they saying."
"They are considering leaving," Jan said somberly. "They live right in a likely path the Russians and East German armies would take if they invaded. And they heard from my brother in Berlin, he's looking to get out of there, too."
"There's other things too," Ellen said. "There's been a lot of things that have been happened that we need to be up to speed on. Procedures just in case we are under some type of national emergency."
"I'll be there," Gail said. "But I hope people don't get so worked up. Everybody starts sounding like my son."
Marlene chuckled, "Your son is glued to CNN daily isn't he."
"When he's not glued to his videogames, computer or ESPN," Gail said.
"Well he owns the current events quiz bowl in my class," Marlene said. "But it kind of spooks the other kids."
Church of the Living God/Sunday January 15, 1984
"An ye shall hear of wars and rumours of war: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet," the Pastor said.
"For nation shall rise against nation," he continued his cadance staying strong. "and kingdom against kingdom: an there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places."
"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
The church was often well-attended, but today it was more so. Its members and newcomers alike seeking a refuge from the growing worry of the world. The Pastor drew upon this for this Sunday message.
"Now, dear friends, given what we've been hearing for awhile this verse sums up the fear I feel. Yes, the fear I feel. I am a man of faith dear church...but I'm just as afraid as anybody right now."
"I have two nephews...who are in harms way, and I think of them. One of them is Air Force. He's a combat pilot. F-15 Eagle. He's in England right now. My other nephew is Navy. He's in a submarine."
"According to the church records, we have 60 parents who have children in the armed forces right now. I'm sure the number of higher once we include spouses, relatives, neighbors, friends..."
Ed shifted uneasily in his pew. He thought of his brother Ralph.
"Now dear hearts, " the Pastor comforted. "I know right now, we are shaken. We are scared. I know right now, we need comfort. We wonder...If there are wars and rumors of wars..where is our God?"
"When we hear the news and we hear a premier in Russia and president here...and a defense minister there, and a navy secretary here, and they a trading insults like kids on the playground we wonder...Where is our God?"
The Pastor, sounding sorrowful before, became steely. "We wonder as we see the shelters being readied and the officials nervous and our kids wondering if they'll see the next birthday..Where is our God? HE is in US, dear hearts. He is in our faith. I encourage you church, through your fear keep your faith. Through the worry, be mindful and prayerful and be mindful and prayerful for one another. Be especially prayerful for the leaders on both sides. Pray that they see reason. Pray that the can realize that Love for Our Creator means also respect for the Creation...and that doesn't mean that you go and blow it up...say Amen, church.
Amen!
A few hours later...
"YOU WANT TO WHAT???" Gail shrieked. "Ed, you done lost your damn mind. Why are you thinking about this...when did this all come about."
Ed was trying to calm his wife down. "Now baby, calm down let me explain this."
"Oh, I think you better," Gail tapped her foot nervously. One thing about Gail, when she got mad. She got mad.
Ed began, "It was Thursday, I saw Rick downtown. He came to me and talked to me about this.."
"And..." Gail said impatiently. "You said 'yes'"
"No I did not," Ed snapped and the calmed down. "But I have thought about it."
"Well unthink about it," Gail said. "Man, do you really think they are going to bomb everybody?" C'mon Ed, don't you think they know what happen if they do that? Huh?"
"Apparently not, if you've been watching the news," Ed chortled. "Notice how you haven't heard anybody talk about negotiation.."
"Do you think you and I and my son and going to run off to some damn middle no-damn where to hide in a damn hole," Gail asked.
Ed fired back. "It's a helluva lot better than dying apart.."
"There you go worrying over nothing.."
"Gail, are you sure," Ed asked. "What if the sirens go off while I'm at work and you and Chip are at school? Huh? I'm down here Northside, you and Chip are in West Omaha!"
Mom was ready to interrupt but Dad wasn't letting her, "According to our son, who is the family expert on the shit, we have maybe 30 minutes when an entire world is panicking. There's no way you'll be able to reach me, and I have no way of reaching you. According to that same 'expert' If we are down here when it hits we are dead. Our there, you guys might live through. Still, we would be in a situation where we die apart. I DON'T WANT THAT!"
Ed was nearly in tears. Gail's anger softened she sat by her husband. "Ed, remember what our Pastor said today. Faith."
Ed answered through soft tears, "I do, honey. I do. I have faith in God...but......You know, I always wondered why Chip was fired up about peace..About the CMB, OR whatever the hell its called!.."
"I'm kinda getting it now," Ed continued. "It about being on a beach with you like we were a couple of weeks ago. It about cheering for my kid. It about..living...It's about seeing your son with goo-goo eyes for some girl..."
"I've been meaning to talk to you about that, Ed," Gail said.
"Well, I think we've had that talk with Chip already, haven't we," Ed deadpanned.
"Cute," Gail said. "Listen, why would we want to even try to live. If its that bad."
Ed paused.."Because...its human to want to live. I know it in my gut. I just couldn't be sitting outside waiting for the bombs. Something at the last minute would scream at me to run or hide...I just don't want to be without you and Chip with me, if it happens."
Gail held Ed..."Honey," Gail said. "I love you, but I think you worry too much."
"Maybe so," Ed said. "But we can't pretend it isn't there. It could happen.
"Lets not talk about that now...just shush.." Gail said. "But, Ed? About that little girl that Chip likes?."
Ed rolled his eyes and smiled....but his mind also raced..."Did she really hear me?"
That night, news of the world gave way to glitz and glamour. Michael Jackson did own the American Music Awards. He took home 8 trophies, and the pundits were already projecting a Grammy Rush for the biggest artist on earth right now.
Monday January 16, 1984 -- Another positive sign. The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks both arrive in Tampa, Florida for a week of pre-Super Bowl hype. The White House annouced that U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz and Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko would meet in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday for a series of meeting aimed to work the crisis out.
Tuesday January 17, 1984 -- Possible Democratic challengers to President Reagan met for a pre-Iowa Caucus debate in Waterloo, Iowa. While all are stridently against Reagan's domestic agenda, each contender supports President Reagan's handling of the recent troubles.
Wednesday January 18, 1984 -- George Schultz leaves for Geneva. In honor of Schultz heading to peace talks in Switzerland MTV plays "99 Luftbaloons" every hour at the top of the hour. Vice President George Bush was critical MTV's impromptu "protest".
Thursday January 19, 1984 -- American negotiators, led by George Schultz meet Soviet negotiators, led by Andrei Gromyko for the first day of a summit in Geneva, Switzerland. It was a tense first day where Gromyko blamed the USA for agitation anti-Soviet sentiment in Eastern Europe.
Friday January 20, 1984 -- Opinion polls give Ronald Reagan a 65% job approval rating. At this time in 1983, Reagan was at 35%. When asked 'Do you approve of his handling of international affairs' His approval rating was at 74%
Saturday January 21, 1984 -- Peace demonstration in Hamburg fell into chaos as peace marchers clashed with anti-Soviet demonstrators. 7 dead, 62 injured, over 100 arrested.
Both Soviet and American negotiators put plans on the table in Geneva.
The United States plan called for both sides to pull forces back to pre-August 1, 1983 limit within Berlin. Begin redeployment by Noon Geneva time. Wednesday
The Soviet counterproposal called for a draw down of US Forces in Berlin to pre-August 1, allowance for the Soviet Union to keep of residual force to keep order in East Germany.
Each side rejected the others' proposal, and one member of each team got into a shouting match. One of many this week in Geneva.
Sunday January 22, 1984 -- Anatoly Dobrynin, the affable Soviet ambassador, was the guest on "The Week with David Brinkley". The Ambassador blamed the tense climate on the "an aggressive American administration who wants to engage in the brinksmanship of the past."
When asked about the Soviet cover-up of KAL Flight 007, Dobrynin was visibly upset and stormed off the ABC News set in a huff.
In a happier note, the Seattle Seahawks pulled off a big upset with a 38-31 win in Super Bowl XVIII. Running back Curt Warner was named the game's MVP after a Super Bowl-record 191 yards on 20 carries, and quarterback Jim Zorn, subbing for David Krieg who was injured in 2nd quarter, rallied the Seahawks with 2 fourth-quarter touchdown passes to outshine Joe Montana. The win gave head Chuck Knox his first Super Bowl championship.
State Capital Building/Lincoln -- Monday January 23, 1984
The Governor entered and some aided entered into Nebraska beautiful state capital building. The day was icy and cold.
"Governor is this a good idea," an aide asked. "What about how this will look in the press, and to the rest of the Unicameral. I don't agree with this sir."
The Governor strided confidently, wearing one of his "race" legs (The Governor is an avid marathoner), "We have to do this," The Governor said. "To get this bill done, and done quickly...We have to bring 'The Man' on board."
The Governor crosses some back catacombs in the state capital to reach 'The Man'. He was Nebraska's only black state senator, but he had grown in power in 14 years in the seat. He may have been one voice, but he was one powerful voice.
The legislative assistant came to the office door, "Governor?" He asked. "Good morning...he will see you now."
Despite being tucked away in a lower floor in a corner of the state capital, 'The Man' had an office that was quite senatorial. On one wall was a map of his Omaha district. Another wall was filled with varied press clipping and a lot of the hate mall he's gotten through the years. None of that hate mall ever fazed him. A proud, scholarly man. The senator took great pride in being the outsider, on being the other. The black man in the white legislature. The urbane man in a conservative rural state. The atheist in a religious heartland. Yet, he was a student of the legislative game and was becoming a master of it.
"Good morning Governor," The Man stated regally. "A pleasure to see our state's chief executive."
The Governor sat down in a chair opposite from his desk. "I think you know why I askED for the meeting."
"Of course," The Man said. "It about this emergency measure that I cannot let through the gates."
"Ernie, I have the majority I need to push this through."
"Then why are you here, Governor? If you have the means to push this through. You don't need me."
"I don't need you the filibuster this to hell and gone either," The Governor thought. He stayed on message. There was a bigger plan in mind.
"I didn't come here to fence with you, Senator," The Governor said. "Quite the opposite. I want you on board."
"You want me to back a bill that would call for suspended habea corpus if law enforcement deemed an emergency. Isn't that your job? Isn't that NEMA's job."
The Governor was calm outside but seething inside, "Who have you been talking to," He asked.
"I've talked to certain mayors, county commissioners. People in law enforcement."
"Well," the Governor said. "They're lying to you. The bill up front states that everything passes a constitutional smell test. It was drafted along side the judiciary. In an extraordinary situation, law enforcement and the national guard would be under civilian oversight."
"Even in the event of a 'national emergency' like this warmongering we are seeing now."
There the Governor did react non-verbally. "This is the real reason why a lot of the Unicameral doesn't like this sonabitch," he thought. "When brains were passed out, this guy cut the line twice. This is why I want to keep him close."
"Let's talk serious here, Senator. You come out publicly for this bill, hell, you can even say you don't support it, but you'll let the chip fall where they may. Notice the economic impact riders in it. We will change those riders to a process by which the work must get done by firms based in the district. We're talking massive money here for public works, and North Omaha could use some public works. That means jobs, Senator. It something you've been barking about since 1970."
The Senator listened hard. "Now you hear me," the Governor thought.
"And Ernie? I'm prepared to give you something you really want."
"And that is?"
"You let this bill through the gates, and I'll come out publicly for a moratorium on the death penalty. Think of it, Ernie. Getting rid of the electric chair. That is your white whale, Ahab. Imagine, a big picture of you on the dock with the harpoon in it's mouth."
The Governor felt himself smirk-smile. "Know the adversary and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles," The Governor thought.
Wednesday January 25, 1984 -- The Man publicly switches his support for the bill saying, "After consultations with Governor and key officials, I am confident of certain amendments that will be agreed to by all sides. I commend the Governor on bringing some forward thinking on an important issue to the public for the public good."
The Man exacted a few more concessions, but at the end the Governor got what he wanted.
Friday January 27, 1984 -- The Nebraska Unicameral passed the emergency management measure 40-9, the Governor signed it the same day.
"You got the win you wanted," The Mayor of Omaha said over the phone, "But how is dumping the death penalty going to play in '86 Governor? Me and the party would kind of like to see stay in the seat for awhile."
"Mike, I said I was calling for moratorium and it something I was planning to do anyway," The Governor said. "The bigger thing is the economic impacts. I throw Ernie's people a steak where in the past they only got a bone. They'd be fools not to take it."
"Either way, Walt will be pleased, that emergency funding can help here right now."
"What's the status?" The Governor quizzed.
"We have a lot of emergency functions done," the mayor said. "Our offsite control base with the county should be online within a week, but how much good will it do? Omaha may get wiped out."
"Either way, I need administrators that know what they are doing. I need you riding the county commissioners' wings out there. Also, its a matter of legitmacy. The average citizen needs to see people they see everyday, that means you. That means us. They need to see a neighbor, not some administrator. Its the only way we can maintain public order and get things done in an emergency."
"
The Governor said his goodbyes and talked to his assistant. He handed her a list, "I want you call the following people, tell them I'd like to meet with them tomorrow afternoon, ask them to drop whatever they're doing and give me an hour...and call over to South Stadium...Tell coach I'd like to drop by and talk to him next week."
Saturday Morning January 28, 1984..around 7a.m.
Chipper slept peacefully. His mind still on last night, at the skating rink at the edge of the city. The hang out...on Junior High night..
She was there. Red hair done in soft curly strands. Her freckles. The soft cotton candy lip gloss.
It was during the couples skate. She grabbed him away from two of his friends. "You are skating with me," she said emphatically. Chip didn't argue, and his boys gave him the business later.
Funny how it seems.....
Always in time, but never in line for dreams.
Head over heels, when toe to toe,
This is the sound of my soul. (This is the sound)
I bought a ticket to the world,
But now I've come back again.
Why do I find it hard to write the next line?
When I want the truth to be said.......
She nuzzled again him as the glided against it each other. Chip held her hand as they found their slow rhythm together. Sixteen wheels going the same direction.
"He's the cutest boy ever," she thought.
"Don't fall down, Chip," he thought.
After the skate, one of Jill's friend asked.. "Hey he was on the football team with my goofy brother,"
Jill smiled. "Yeah...that's my boyfriend!"
At that moment, Chip could have sprouted rocket engines and launched himself to the moon. He was that excited and happy.
"Did that really happen,?" he thought as he started waking up. "Then he saw the note under his pillow.
"Dear Chip, I like you a lot, and don't want you couple skating with anyone else. Jill xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox"
Chip stumbled out of bed and downstairs. That's where the cable box was. Still dreamy from last night, A new day and CNN smacked him in the face.
"At this hour, British police and security forces are dealing with riots in the Brixton area of London. The riots are seen as a reaction to the decision of the British government to institute emergency procedures to prepare the country for attack. Those actions included moving people out of hospitals and care homes and expanded police powers. Brixton's community, largely working class and black, rioted in 1981 in response to issues between citizens and local police."
to be continued...
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Thanks for the heads up.
Hey everybody, I'm glad you are enjoying this. Its been a rip down memory lane for me. Lots of memories and lots of 80s music lol.
I'm very pleased that you all are reading this and enjoying it. I hope you are also reading the other arcs of this wild timeline. This whole adventure has been such a needed tonic for me and I can't wait to read what Macragge, Patton and Mario have in store. (hey Mario, get to writing, babe. I want to see what happened with Rome!)
now Apollo, I get your point here, if I had a used something like "fo' shizzle" I'd have to change that. Nobody said "fo' shizzle" in 1984, even in Compton (But I did make one of two changes to reflect the fact thet some stuff I was maybe a month or two early on, and my folk wouldn't have quite been up to speed yet, or neither were we. I remember the times, but just like 7th grade history class...I can get fuzzy on the dates )
/linguist hat on (forgive me, I'm a journalist lol)
However, "homeboy" was recycled by the hip-hop nation. Its a colloquialism that was used by rural folks, black and white, in this country long before the hip-hop era. My daddy's peoples, born and bred Arkansas Razorbacks (woo pig! SOOIE!), used the term when I was child. It meant literally "someone from the same place". The hip-hop nation took the term, changed the inflection a little bit and added it to lexicon. It extended to a new generation. But it would still be very accurate for Rick to use in that case, given where he grew up, the experience he's lived, and the people he's met.
/linguist hat off
I'm glad everybody's enjoying this. But I may need a stiff drink before I write the next few. We're heading into February
Also, another plug for the TLs
Protect and Survive: So intense, you can hear Patrick Allen.
Duck and Cover! The FEMA boys tryin' to work it out!
Noi non ci saremo: Italy February '84. Generales and Majors.
Check 'em out, and seek shelter
Hey everybody, I'm glad you are enjoying this. Its been a rip down memory lane for me. Lots of memories and lots of 80s music lol.
I'm very pleased that you all are reading this and enjoying it. I hope you are also reading the other arcs of this wild timeline. This whole adventure has been such a needed tonic for me and I can't wait to read what Macragge, Patton and Mario have in store. (hey Mario, get to writing, babe. I want to see what happened with Rome!)
now Apollo, I get your point here, if I had a used something like "fo' shizzle" I'd have to change that. Nobody said "fo' shizzle" in 1984, even in Compton
(But I did make one of two changes to reflect the fact thet some stuff I was maybe a month or two early on, and my folk wouldn't have quite been up to speed yet, or neither were we. I remember the times, but just like 7th grade history class...I can get fuzzy on the dates )/linguist hat on (forgive me, I'm a journalist lol)
However, "homeboy" was recycled by the hip-hop nation. Its a colloquialism that was used by rural folks, black and white, in this country long before the hip-hop era. My daddy's peoples, born and bred Arkansas Razorbacks (woo pig! SOOIE!), used the term when I was child. It meant literally "someone from the same place". The hip-hop nation took the term, changed the inflection a little bit and added it to lexicon. It extended to a new generation. But it would still be very accurate for Rick to use in that case, given where he grew up, the experience he's lived, and the people he's met.
/linguist hat off
I'm glad everybody's enjoying this. But I may need a stiff drink before I write the next few. We're heading into February
Also, another plug for the TLs
Protect and Survive: So intense, you can hear Patrick Allen.
Duck and Cover! The FEMA boys tryin' to work it out!
Noi non ci saremo: Italy February '84. Generales and Majors.
Check 'em out, and seek shelter
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Das_Colonel
Banned
Loving the TL Chip.
Although I grew up on the other side of the world in the Late 80's /90's, the picture you paint is pretty much of the North America I grew up seeing on TV (or at least what I imagined it to be) so it's very easy to visualise, just like McCragges' original TL.
The details are great, and the personal touch is the icing on the cake. Middle (geographically speaking) America is something I don't know a lot about, so I'm appreaciting the education.
Keep up the great work mate
Although I grew up on the other side of the world in the Late 80's /90's, the picture you paint is pretty much of the North America I grew up seeing on TV (or at least what I imagined it to be) so it's very easy to visualise, just like McCragges' original TL.
The details are great, and the personal touch is the icing on the cake. Middle (geographically speaking) America is something I don't know a lot about, so I'm appreaciting the education.
Keep up the great work mate
Question: Do folks in Nebraska really refer to their state legislature as the unicameral in everyday speech?
One scene I remember from The Day After is when the attack is about to start and the farmer tries to get his wife into the basement (she is still doing chores, in denial, IMO), and he practically has to drag her into the basement.
Gail's attitude reminds me a little of that (and also a Stepford Smiler, look it up on TVtropes,com).
A shame this is the last Super Bowl. (Of course, I'm dead anyway, but at least Texas A & M survives.)
Not that banning the death penalty in Nebraska really matters in this TL, though.
Gail's attitude reminds me a little of that (and also a Stepford Smiler, look it up on TVtropes,com).
A shame this is the last Super Bowl.
(Of course, I'm dead anyway, but at least Texas A & M survives.)Not that banning the death penalty in Nebraska really matters in this TL, though.
...now Apollo, I get your point here, if I had a used something like "fo' shizzle" I'd have to change that. Nobody said "fo' shizzle" in 1984, even in Compton
/linguist hat on (forgive me, I'm a journalist lol)
However, "homeboy" was recycled by the hip-hop nation. Its a colloquialism that was used by rural folks, black and white, in this country long before the hip-hop era. My daddy's peoples, born and bred Arkansas Razorbacks (woo pig! SOOIE!), used the term when I was child. It meant literally "someone from the same place". The hip-hop nation took the term, changed the inflection a little bit and added it to lexicon. It extended to a new generation. But it would still be very accurate for Rick to use in that case, given where he grew up, the experience he's lived, and the people he's met.
/linguist hat off...
Well, you learn something new every day. I grew up in the Midwest (Northern Ohio) and never ran across that usage growing up, perhaps because there weren't too many Arkansans or Southerners around. So, I stand corrected, and I appreciate the explanation.
Great update, by the way. This really has a feeling of reality to it. It's rather eerie, like being tossed back in time 28 years. It brings back a lot of feelings and memories from the era, many of which aren't all that pleasant. Reading this has done what I thought was impossible: I actually again feel the visceral fear of that era.
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C'mon unknown, most people think calmer heads are going to prevail here. Lol
The unicameral -- yes, Gratton it is what we Nebraskans call our single house. For many in the state from business to legal to press it's pretty much the everyday language. In fact of you used to term "state legislature" some folks would look at you a little sideways.
The unicameral -- yes, Gratton it is what we Nebraskans call our single house. For many in the state from business to legal to press it's pretty much the everyday language. In fact of you used to term "state legislature" some folks would look at you a little sideways.
I find it weird someone proposing a moratorium on capital punishment on the eve of a major war.I mean someone would say once the bombs start falling law and order will be imposed with the hangmans noose.Of course all this talk about constitutional rights and whatever might be a way for some politicians to be in denial about what is really coming their way.People in times of stress sometimes find refuge by desperately clinging to what they believe in not wanting to accept that its over.