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November 2nd, 2000: Michael Collins, Eagle Governor of Texas, is elected President. His Vice President, Senator Jorge Real-Diaz of New Mexico, makes a strong grab of the Latino vote. The result is a nailbiter election; but also one that ends in victory for Collins after Freedom Party Nominee Victor Vultan fails to win his home state.

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Sept 13th, 2002: Friday the 13th Attacks against the United States. Nearly five thousand Americans are killed when New York's World Trade Center is destroyed by Muslim Extremists. Al Qaeda, a shadowy organization of international Muslim Extremists, claims responsibility.

December 1st, 2002: Afghan War begins as a US ultimatum to Afghanistan's Taliban is unmet.

May 10th, 2003: Iraq War begins as President Collins insists on the necessity of invading Iraq to locate its Weapons of Mass Destruction. None are ever found.

August 30th, 2003: Bankruptcy of NRG Inc after massive financial fraud is discovered at the company. An accounting firm is also shut down in the aftermath, and new laws (Milton-Hayes) require the CEO to sign financial statements and require the oversight of an accounting firm.

October 2003: Major Power Grid disruption to the Midwest plunges six states into blackouts for eight days.

March 3rd, 2004: Major Terrorist Attack by Al-Qaeda in Edinburgh, Scotland. Over 500 people are killed as multiple bomb are detonated simultaneously on the country's mass transit system.

September 25th, 2004 The September Surprise: US Forces find Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein hiding in a hole outside his hometown. Paraded around in the critical campaign season, this gives Collins a momentum to win.

November 2nd, 2004: Michael Collins Re-elected, defeating Massachusetts Senator Sean Howard Brooks for the Presidency.

April 16th, 2005: Magnitude 9 Earthquake causes massive waves and massive loss of life and economic damage to Indonesia, with less damage to Indochina, Australia, and the African Coast.

June 10th, 2005: Hurricane Lawrence hits New Orleans as a Magnitude 4 Hurricane, overwhelming the city's levee system and leaving much of the city underwater. Further compounding the tragedy is a half-baked plan to shelter many of the city's residents at its Football Stadium– CC Cola Stadium becomes a serious scene of hungry, neglected and overcrowded residents. The situation is worsened by reports that the New Orleans Police may have killed people without cause in the aftermath, and over a hundred thousand people ultimately leave New Orleans, never to return. Similar devastation is wrought elsewhere along the gulf coast.

May 10th, 2006: Space Shuttle Atlantis burns up in re-entry to Earth's Atmosphere, killing all aboard. A freeze on shuttles is reluctantly ordered by President Collins.

March 2008: The Great Recession begins as the Stock Market loses 3% of its value in a single day. The first Bankruptcy, Lionshare Financial, triggers shockwaves throughout the financial sector.

July 15th, 2008: Federal Bailout and the FISH act As dozens of banks head towards Bankruptcy, President Collins orders $400 Billion in government funds to prevent them from folding. This act earns the hatred of conservatives, but may have been critical in preventing the Great Recession from turning into a full blown depression.

November 4th, 2008: Election of 2008 With Conservatives reeling from Collins' massive intervention into the financial sector demoralizing their ranks, general war weariness hanging on the American People, and increasing frustration with an economy that is still losing ground, the American people elect Michael Snow as President, with Kevin Yankee as his Vice President.

The Eagle Party's Andrew Bard had attempted to steer too close to the Positives of the Collins' administration to win election. His choice of Alaskan Governor Thomas Kaufbus failed to draw much support in spite of Kaufbus' somewhat exotic qualities.

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January 20, 2009: Michael Snow (Played by Snowman23) is Inaugurated as President, along with the new Vice President, Kevin Yankee (Kome). In short order, the following Cabinet is assembled:

• State: Isaac S. Levi (Played by Aranfan)
• Economics: Scott Jones (Played by Aranfan)
• Defense: Dash Tredeau (Played by Mmmeee0)
• Intelligence: Whumbly (No name given)
• Attorney General: Conrad Franks (Played by Civfanatic)

The assembly of the Cabinet, as well as the appointment of Senator Nathaniel Young (Played by Yelnoc) to lead Congress, consumed much of the presidents' efforts throughout the month of February (which is why no game turn occurred for that month).

February 2009: A Sensational story hits the presses: The US government is deliberately encouraging prison rape. Less publicly, but of equal severity is the death of the CIA's station chief in South America. On a more positive note, Automaker Detroit Auto Works manages to develop a technological edge on its rivals and survive its rough handling. Finally, in a move that will draw the long term focus of his Presidency, Mexico requests US aid in dealing with its cartels.

March 2009: Secretary Levi makes a State Trip to Israel; the CIA's budget is raised and US Forces begin to appear in Mexico. Financial reform sputters, but the Prison Rape Scandal is tied to a high ranking source–Former Vice President Jorge R. Diaz, tarring the Eagle party with scandal.

Things start to get interesting in the world. Iran and Syria sign a formal alliance, Civil War breaks out in Nigeria between Muslims and Christians, and US Troops find the bones of a long dead Osama Bin Laden in Southern Afghanistan.

Despite the interesting events occuring around the world, it was a bit too much for President Snow. After a speech at the University of Colorado, Snow complained of a headache. It turned out to be far more serious than anyone recognized, and Snow was rushed to a Denver Hospital, where he fell into a coma. In Boston, Vice President Yankee managed only a brief response to the tragedy before being rushed to Washington.

In between the tragedy, Attorney General Franks was accused of fabricating evidence for his investigations.

Secretary of State Levi leaks information over a backroom deal attempt made by the Eagles. This will lead to the discrediting of Senate Minority Leader Casey Mungbean and increased tension between the Eagles and the Freedom Party.

In spite of heroic efforts to save him, Michael Snow passes away in a Colorado Hospital.

After the stroke and death of the former president, Newly sworn in President Kevin Yankee opted to make some new changes to the cabinet:

• State: Art Westbrook (Played by Westbrook 49)
• Defense: Dash Trudeau (A Holdover from the Snow administration)
• Economics: Temporarily Vacant
• Atty General: Tim Thomason (IG name and Forum Name)
• Intelligence: Whumbly (Holdover from the Snow Administration)

Senator (F-MD) Aaron Frank (run by Aranfan) becomes Vice President. Disagreements with Levi and Jones are amiably resolved, those with former Attorney General Franks less so.

April 2009: The Eagle Party sacks Casey Mungbean (E-CA) and replaces him with the more assertive Mel Iverson (E-SD). Abroad, Israel attacks Palestinian Terrorist Group Islamic Jihad, while the USA continues with its plan to pull out of Iraq.

Septimus Magistos is appointed the new Education Secretary.

May 2009: The X Killer kills fifteen homeless people in Las Vegas, while the CIA gains a high level contact in Syria. The Ricochet computer Virus does serious damage to the Internet, while the Taliban begin their slow retreat south. Finally, NASA asks for and receives funding for a Mars Project.

Charles Mueller (Played by Chamonix) takes the Position of Economics Secretary.

Secretary Westbrook stops attending Cabinet Meetings; Whumbly unofficially assumes the mantle of Secy of State.

June 2009: The Russians elect a Pro-US leader, Japan elects a US Crony, and the CIA sees a chance to topple North Korea's government. Poland begins drifting away from the USA, and narcotics prices quadruple owing to the crackdown on drugs. President Yankee makes the most of the opportunities, making the call to overthrow the Juchist regime. The Decision will cast a long shadow on the game.

Secretary Magistos (Education) Proposes his “Fair Shake Act”, which attempts to unify grades and standards across schools. Building on President Collins' American Dream Act, this turns the nationwide testing into a metric to calibrate grades. A bolder initiative, the Student Empowerment Act (which would shift responsibility on learning from teachers to students themselves) goes into study.

Unfortunately, this marvelous idea is fillibustered by the Eagle Party.

In Pyongyang, the North Korean Armed Forces are baited into killing the General Secretary, but their own divisions turn what was intended to be a simple coup into a multi-sided civil war as at least three figures in the armed forces and the surviving party members vie for control. The CIA has succeeded in its mission, but the outcome is hardly what is wanted.

July 2009: Pop Singer Lady Desiree is killed by Christian Fundamentalists, the X killer is taken down but kills a Policeman in the process, chemical weapons start flying in the North Korean Civil War, and a bumbling attempt to airdrop food into wartorn North Korea (Operation King Ronald) is shot down by the Air Force Brass.

The USA makes the fateful decision to intervene in North Korea. Fear of the North Koreans nuking themselves are realized in a dreadful phone call between the SAC and President Yankee:

“There has been a nuclear hit against Pyongyang, and we had nothing to do with it. Pacificon has moved to DEFCON 2, per standing instructions” “We have to hit the Norks with nuclear weapons, or they'll hit us and the South Koreans!”

President Yankee makes the call not to use nuclear weapons. The US Air Force makes an interception hours later of a few aircraft, among them, a forty year old Tu-16 bomber. Shot down by US aircraft, the bomber explodes in a nuclear fireball. It is later determined that the bomber was aiming directly at Seoul.

In more traditional news, the Fair Shake Act passes. The dreary war of fighting in Korea kills thousands of US servicemen, but the Warlords suffer around fifteen times as many losses. The Patent agency is purged after corruption becomes an issue; laws increasing punishment for child pornography are passed.

August 2009: High point for popularity for the Freedom Party–Polls show 91% Support after saving Seoul from nuclear destruction and serious victory in North Korea. The Pope throws praise on the President, while the UK strengthens ties to the States after a Royal marries a American Businesswoman. NK Warlord General Gang Chan is sent to the ICJ for his crimes against humanity–in particular, giving the order to nuke Pyongyang. Israel annexes settlements in the West Bank, as the world is distracted by NK's actions.

Secretary Mueller (Economics) Steps down. An obnoxious preacher from Nebraska is lynched after trying to parade “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” in the middle of the most popular conflict in sixty years, and fanatics firebomb the Leninist Party HQ.

Senator Young steps down as Senate Majority Leader, to be replaced (briefly) by Sen. George Lincoln (F-Az, played by Godless Liberal)

The US government cracks down on Anti-Communist Extremism, makes plans to wipe out the last of NK's chemical weapons, and increases its aid to Mexico.

September 2009: Israel's annexation of parts of the West Bank leads to the UK and France to consider sanctions against the country. With Russia stepping aside in the region and Arab States disunited, Israel is confident that they can grab these territories on the cheap, indeed, Israel is even promoting Arab Hatred to justify their actions.

Hurricane Ellie hits Georgia, but President Yankee is not President Collins, and an immediate effort for aid settles the situation favorably for the white house. As troops in Korea close in on the last of the Warlords, President Yankee gets Finance Reform through Congress without too much debate and aid flows to Mexico to assist it in her fight against Drug Cartels.

Alex Richards (F-Ma) becomes the new Senate Majority Leader, and a leaner, meaner FBI emerges from various reforms.

October 2009: North Korean General Gang Chan faces the International Court of Justice, while Mississippi Governor Robert Flame opts to ban Gay and Lesbian Children from the State's school system, pending treatment of their “Condition”. Solar Power makes a big jump in a small Arizona Laboratory, while Romania's Far Right seizes control of the country.

As a rising tide of Anti-Semitism stirs in America, Jewish Vice President Frank plans a speaking tour in major cities. Community Activist and Chicago Mayor Glen Marrick (Marix) becomes the Economics Secretary.

Secretary Septimus doesn't stand for Mississippi's abuse of Gay Students and has Attorney General Thomasson sue the State for its behavior. The Lawsuit, unfortunately, is thrown out on a technicality.

November 2009: A very bad month for the World.

Israel reaps what it sows, and a lot more, as an act of nuclear terrorism destroys Haifa. Riots in Mississippi lead to several dead in melees, including a police officer. The US Mission in Iraq turns out to have set up an Iranian puppet regime in the country, while Alabama considers following Mississippi's lead in ejecting LGBT youth from its schools.

Frank goes on a speaking tour, and the FBI arrests three plotters out to kill him. In Mississippi, Eagle Governor Flame is busted when the Feds discover that his intent was to launch an illegal harassment campaign against the LGBT for political profit.

The CIA discovers the nuclear weapon is of Pakistani Origin, but how did it get to Haifa?

Treasury Secretary Marrick takes a vacation.

December 2009:

A US Marine is awarded the medal of honor for bravery, while Civil War in Nigeria is solved in the UN. The Chinese appoint a friend of the United States as its new General Secretary, and new ground is broken in the CIA investigation of the Nuclear Attack against Israel.

In the Midwest, human feces turn out to be a contaminant in meat products, while India's reaction towards Pakistan's loss of a nuclear weapon is fury. A certain education official in Mississippi resigns to pursue life with his family, but Washington knows the Truth.

Michael Snow's financial manipulations pre-Presidency reach the press.

Tensions remain high as India tests a nuclear weapon and the FDA is revealed to still be a corrupt organization.

January 2010

The new year starts off not very optimistically for the United States. The FDA scandal continued to grow and eventually fingers along with congressional investigation pointed to the Freedom Party as too blame. A member of the Freedom party demands that the administration find a political answer to the War on Drugs and anti-war protests begin to sprout. The administration brushes aside concerns and goes for sending more aid to arm Mexican forces in the ongoing war.

Combat dies down in Korea and the allied forces along with the United States being to demobilize and withdraw. The International Court of Justice delivers its sentences to the remaining former North Korean warlords while also condemning any and all uses of WMD's even in retaliation. A ruling that is protested by the USA. Discreetly US forces are allowed to enter Northern Pakistan to clear out the demoralized remnants of the Taliban. In a bit of happy news NASA sends a probe to Mars.

On the political front gearing up for the 2010 Midterm elections begin with the Freedom National Committee laying down political planning. Concerns are raised over Senate Majority Leader Alex Richard's reelection. On a brightside Senate Minority Leader Mel Iverson is caught in a child pornography scandal by the FBI. The emergence of Theodore Crow would result in many Freedom party members to miss the days of 'General Mung-Beans' and Iverson. Secretary of Defense Dash Trudeau catches flak for his inactivity in government affairs.

The Israel mystery deepens with the CIA investigating possible links with Iran…

February 2010

Tensions between India and Pakistan reach a boiling point due to the Haifa attack, as India moves its nuclear warheads to full readiness President Yankee brings both nations to Hiroshima for last ditch talks, both sides reluctantly sit down with the specter of nuclear war over them…

Moldavia unilaterally joins Romania, and Muslim Radicals take over Yemen. Economic investments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo finally pay off as the DRC begins exporting oil, nearly exclusively to the USA, at much cheaper prices than competitors. The economy improves due to this development.

The complete disarray due to the FDA purges leads to businesses being forced to regulate themselves, serving as a wake up call for the administration, the FDA is put out of its misery and replaced by the PCA.

Various crime rates rise, a problem that will continue to haunt the Yankee for the next few years, while prisons are shown to be in horrible conditions. The Communal Punishment Act attempts to correct both those problems, however newly appointed Senate Majority Leader Theodore Crow proves his skills by killing it. Secretary of Defense Trudeau is fired, a situation handled rather badly by the administration. Meanwhile President Yankee makes plans for a stimulus package.

The Haifa case is closed, a recently deceased Egyptian businessman had purchased the nuke, forming the final piece of the mystery.

March 2010

The Hiroshima talks end in success when Pakistan offers to lower its nuclear arsenal. Yankee claims much credit for the success of the talks.

Meanwhile the military reports that the number of soldiers KIA has drastically dropped by 20%, education spending pays off as the US places 4th in an international competition of smartness. Down in Texas, Mexican cartels attack Fort Hood, the raid is repulsed although alarming. Chad and Sudan suffer a series of border incidents of which the UN does not do much to take care of.

A Senator and a Supreme Court Justice defect to the Freedom Party. Theodore Crow presents the focal point of his government planning, The Sound Healthcare Bill, which would cut healthcare spending by 20%. Many of the Freedom party reacts to threats of the bill being attached to everything, with unhidden disgust.

President Yankee missed most of the events however, after the Hiroshima talks the President suffers a case of food poisoning from the Japanese delicacies being served and bad flight conditions resulted in the President stuck in Japan and incapacitated. Administration during March was taken care of by Vice President Aaron Frank. Who's first order of business is to legalize marijuana. Alex Richards displays his political skills getting marijuana legalized. As concessions for the Eagle Party, Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat and The Hat, and How the Grinch stole Christmas are all passed through congress with bipartisan support.

Apparently the Sound Healthcare Bill was lost in translation. ;)

April 2010

The Freedom Party gears up for Midterm Elections. At least one large issue is on the ballot: Formal Statehood for Puerto Rico. A critical office is also up for grabs–Senate Majority Leader Richard's Massachusetts Senate Seat.

Opponent Daniel Kharn is a fiscal conservative with big business connections–and this campaign is not running well. But Kharn is trying to take down a critical member of the Freedom Party, and the Freedom Party supports its own. A large infrastructure bill emerges in Washington, throwing generous pork into the nation at large and at Massachusetts in Particular. The popular state governor throws his support behind Richards, and the senate race looks settled half a year before it is even voted upon.

The world marches on. Fighting flares in Sudan and Chad; Iraq is partitioned by its neighbors, and the CIA learns of a high level source in the US government.

In far off Montreal, Former Defense Secretary promises a November Surprise. Days later, the Secretary is shot dead. A North Korean Terrorist Organization, the Flower of Choson, claims responsibility. For all that the Royal Canadian Mounted Patrol would like to see the North Koreans locked up and taken down, the RCMP is no match for this quasi-governmental entity, and the gunman is not apprehended…

May 2010

The Freedom Party Infrastructure Stimulus Bill, informally dubbed 'Big Pork' jump starts the economy beyond the wildest dreams of any economist. The impact would be felt for a long long time, both domestically and in the world. At the immediate time though, the better economic state lead to attention being drawn to a long time practice, China's 'knock-off' products flooding US markets. Surprisingly China's Chariman agrees to US demands when pressed and puts an end to the 'knock-offs'.

Egypt resolves the Sudan problem independently of the UN, finding a solution to the Sudan/Chad conflict. And in a completely unexpected twist a limited success HIV vaccine is developed and sold to those who can afford it.

Meanwhile back in Canada the Flower of Choson group makes themselves felt yet again, this time via assassination of the Canadian Prime Minister. Threats are made calling for President Yankee's head next, although luckily increase security deters an attack.

And the high level source in the US government is found by the FBI to be… Secretary of Education Septimus Magistos????

June 2010

OPEC begins to break down over tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, while the shooting stops in North Korea. President Kevin Yankee is informed that the CIA has a plan to depose those troublemakers in Iran…and Yankee takes the shot.

Cheaper oil heats the economy to an incredible 13% growth rate, leading the Yankee Administration to address excessive economic growth as a serious concern. It's drawing the world's economies upwards…and pushing the United States towards a devastating crash.

Belorussia aligns behind Poland and Romania in its Right-Wing “Golden Pact”. Finally, if this isn't enough mischief, sci-fi fans demand “UltraDrive” to be created by NASA as a top priority project.

Kevin Yankee's Tax Reforms kill the AMT, and raise income taxes to more than compensate. It doesn't pass, but it gets modified in congress, and now the Freedom Party is trying to make it law.

Theodore Crow, obstructionist and highest profile senator in Congress, faces a media campaign that smears him. Less cleverly, the Freedom Party missteps in attempting to politicize a tragedy.

And in Iran, the CIA succeeds in wiping out the old government…to be replaced with a more aggressive one. Mahmoud Mesri, leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, becomes President.

July 2010

In a unexpected development there is a Pro-United States coup in Cuba, with the new government quickly asking for a normalization of relations.

The situation in Iran quickly becomes unstable as the new government begins a campaign of violence and suppression against Dissidents and other government opponents. The international community, fearing the disastrous effects this situation could have on the global economy, calls for calm.

Tax reform remains stalled in the Senate.

August 2010

The 2010 Tax Reform Act passed the Senate after a minor compromise and clever politicking on the part of a few Freedom senators. As a result government revenues overall increase while the tax burden on the middle class and poor remains the same, if not goes down.

Vice President Frank in a unprecedented move takes a active role in Congress when he, in a aggressive and determined speech, goes after Theodore Crow's Sound Healthcare Bill. The speech kills the bill in a way that no other bill could be opposed, but it proves a heavily controversial measure as many consider is a overstep of the Vice President's constitutional authority and boundaries.

The Iranian Crisis takes a turn for the worse when Iran invades Azerbaijan. Though there is heavy fighting around Baku the rest of the country quickly falls or is falling into Iranian occupation, as Azerbaijani forces were both the invasion and it's ferocity.

The cause of a future scandal, the Navies Budget is curtailed as the Yankee administration begins enacting a plan of minor/moderate downsizing.

September 2010

The Navy Cuts Scandal blows up in the administration's face after pay increases are enacted for only the Air Force and the Army but not the Navy. Approval Ratings for the Yankee administration quickly hit lows, falling below 50% for the first time.

The situation in Iran also continues to escalate dangerously. U.S forces begin being stationed in both Armenia and Saudi Arabia as a deterrent to further Iranian aggression, while the Chinese discover vital Intel which shows the U.S role in what has happened to Iran. In secret communiques between the two powers the situation is calmed slightly and U.S involvement is not revealed to the world at large. However, the United States has for the short-medium term become very friendly to the Chinese and even begins steps to lower tariffs placed on Chinese imports in the beginning of the year. At the sametime, the United States begins calling for a global embargo of Iran, which hurts but doesn't completely kill the Iranian economy.

Atlantic Airlines Flight #231 is shot down by the U.S Air Force. This Jumbo Jet was taken down after it was hijacked by North Korean Terrorists and neared Washington DC, killing all 180 aboard. While this probably prevented a larger tragedy, explaining why the USAF killed 180 people is going to be a VERY UNPLEASANT Task. This combined with other bad luck/decisions for the administration has come at a crucial time, with the important midterm elections being early next month.