My guess is that Askew is going to ride Udall coattails to the White House come '88 or he could just drop out and endorse Udall's friend Ted Kennedy, who urged him to run for President in 1980 in this timeline, and usher in a new era of Camelot. I wonder who the Republicans will nominate? Howard Baker is off the table after his landslide loss in '84, Dole was never on the ticket in '76 due to Reagan's victory in the primaries that year so he wouldn't be considered the heir to the nomination in this timeline though he could still run for it despite low name recognition, Jack Kemp could run as he did in our timeline and might actually do quite well if he wasn't Baker's running mate in '84 (now that I think of it who was Baker's running mate in the 1984 election?), HW Bush might run if he made it into the Senate or the Texas Governor's Mansion in this timeline or was chosen as Reagan's Secretary of State in 1977, and then there's Pat Robertson who will stand zero chance at the Republican nomination no matter what timeline he's in. I personally think that the Democrats will keep the White House for at least four more years after Udall retires in '88. I wonder who Askew will pick as his running mate?
America's Funniest President: Mo Udall Presidency & Beyond
- Thread starter CountDVB
- Start date
Summer 1985: Iran Triumphant
Summer 1985: Iran Triumphant
Republic of Iran flag (1979 - present)
Republic of Iran flag (1979 - present)
Summer of 1985 would be quite a turning point for a few reasons. The case of United States vs. Exxon and the subsequent declaration of being found guilty would send many shockwaves across not just the United States, but across the world. The first world would be forced to confront their dependency on fossil fuels with the governments starting to feel the pressure from their constituents to do something about it and hold fossil fuels accountable along with accelerating the process of weaning off of them. The second world was more complicated; while the direct news itself would be restricted, the core message on manmade climate change caused by fossil fuels would still be delivered, albeit to explain upcoming changes on the nations. Over in the higher command, they were having their scientists look into renewables along with potential plans to work with the first world even to get more diverse responses and see what would work. It also led Gorbachav to begin planning assessments on the potential environmental impact of various projects. One was apparently targeted on the potential impacts of the Aral Sea. The third world would be mixed; many found that they would need to be more careful in modernizing in certain cases and frustrated at how this throws a curveball in those attempts and at the problems caused by the first and second worlds. Despite these, there is a growing global sense of unity to confront the growing complexity of developing and implementing the solutions of a post-fossil fuel run world.
Despite this, there was still some positive developments going on in the world and process slowly being made. In the summer of 1985, Iran would finish their invasion of Baghdad and spelling the end of the Iran-Iraq War with a victory roward Iran. It would see Saddam Hussein be toppled from power over in Iraq and his Baathists scattered to the win, with some of them fleeing over to Syria if have not beforehand. Saddam himself would be killed at some point during the last days of the war. As such, Iraq was now left at more or less Iran's complete mercy. While there was some rumors that Iran would attempt to annex Iraq, such rumors were disproven. Ultimately, they would have the government ousted and changed to be sympathetic to Iranian interests. However, one major caveat was the the creation of a homeland for the Iraqi Kurds, that being none other than Kurdistan, which would unsurprisingly and quickly find itself in the Iranian sphere of influence. While the Kurds were happy with finally obtaining a homeland and Iran proud of having subjugated their rival and getting them and a new member in their sphere of influence, a few other nations were not as happy. Syria became a little nervous as they were now the last Baathist stronghold and while not targeted, the presence of Kurds in their region may mean Iran may be willing to target them. However, it was Turkey who was really anxious on the result of a Kurdistan. On the one hand, some saw it as hopes in possibly sending the Kurdish population there that served as agitators. On the other hand, Kurdistan’s presence now provides a greater wave of support for the Kurds in Turkey, with some even fearing the the Turkish Kurds majority lands may try to secede from Turkey and join Kurdistan. Meanwhile, it is unknown what the PKK’s reaction is though rumors circulated it is a divided one with the group uncertain of what to do next. Additionally, neither Kurdistan nor Iran have designated it as a threat. As for the rest of the world, they have cautiously begun opening embassies and diplomatic discussions to the new Kurdish government though nations like the United States have brought concerns, mainly on the Assyrian minority over in Kurdistan, with the understanding that they enjoy the same rights and considerations. However, beyond this concern, Iran has become stronger and unified, enjoying a basking of prestige and becoming more open in negotiations, such as with the United States in regards to foreign policy and energy.
Beyond this, other fascinating developments arrived over in the summer. The Japanese animation studio known as Studio Ghibli would be founded in Tokyo. John Hendricks launches the Discovery Channel in the United States. And the Live Aid benefit concerts in London and Philadelphia raise over £50 million for famine relief in Ethiopia.[1] All in all, matters were improving over time and these massive revelations in court provided shakeups that were needed to make people realize what was really important in life and begin doing their part to help there. But perhaps the biggest symbol of this would be occurring around the time of August, namely with a large convention taking place over a week in DC that had been months in the making: that regarding the discussion and meeting of politicians with members of those affected most of the AIDS issue, the SATMIN Americans.
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[1]- Definition and phrasing come from here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985
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Wonder if some version of the INF treaty will be signed between Gorbachev and Udall.
Yeah. Mentioned early on; Callaghan was surprised by Reagan's snafu and he got worried on his own chances. So he called a general election in 1978 and managed to gain a slim majority. Losing against him means Thatcher would lose to Whitelaw in regards to who runs the Tories.
Well there is no resurgence of Austerity economics too at least for now.
Well yeah. I mean, look what austerity economics did during the Reagan years of 1976-1980
. No one wants to go through that BS .Hope ya'll like Iran's new flag.
Just finished reading the timeline thus far, and I have a question about the United States vs Phillip Morris case. With smokers not being so demonized, but considered more as victims of the tobacco industry's propaganda... what effects would that have on American society's viewpoint of other addicts?
Obviously Nancy Reagan wouldn't be appearing on "Diff'rent Strokes" in your timeline's 1983 to preach the Just Say No slogan. But the ham-handed attitude continued through 1990 IOTL, as the "Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue" special proved.
Obviously Nancy Reagan wouldn't be appearing on "Diff'rent Strokes" in your timeline's 1983 to preach the Just Say No slogan. But the ham-handed attitude continued through 1990 IOTL, as the "Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue" special proved.
Yeah, smokers will be viewed as victims of a long fraud. Even people who note on it being a personal choice will still be angry.
I think it will take a bit of a while for addiction to really sink in though with NBH, addiction as a medical condition and so on will become more widespread and recognized. This will be noted later on the early 90s...
Any other questions or comments on what I might have missed so far?
It just struck me as odd, since I grew up in the 80s seeing all those anvilicious anti-drug ads and stories.Yeah, smokers will be viewed as victims of a long fraud. Even people who note on it being a personal choice will still be angry.
I think it will take a bit of a while for addiction to really sink in though with NBH, addiction as a medical condition and so on will become more widespread and recognized. This will be noted later on the early 90s...
Any other questions or comments on what I might have missed so far?
Yeah, but that’s the thing here. A lot of things are changing because of this. Less toy-driven animated shows during the 1980s, not as much on advertising toward kids for things like candy and so on.
Hence why I’m asking and so on c:
Looking over Mo Udall's family, curious to see what Ella, was it, will be like as first lady, and how the kids adjust to life in the White House, and if Ella will die while Mo's in office here, in an alternate 1988. Also, what were the Moscow and L.A Olympics like?
1985: SATMIN Civil Rights- DC Conference
1985: SATMIN Civil Rights- Washington DC Conference
The rise of HIV and AIDS is considered an event of transition from the 1970s to the 1980s. The virus was a ruthless pathogen that would weaken the human body's defenses leaving the individual vulnerable to otherwise less harmful diseases. Additionally, it being a virus means that it can mutate and thus become very difficult to be able to cure and deal with. However, the most notable impact regarding HIV and AIDS would be on a specific group of people: non-heterosexual people. Gay men were among the first to contact it though the reaction of the Udall administration on looking into this issue along with the rise of the National Bureau of Healthcare would meant that HIV or AIDS would not be viewed as a sole problem for them and in fact, the fact that they were among the first to notice the issue and raise awareness would mean they would helped alot in managing the situation. One of the main overseers for handling the response to HIV and AIDS would be Vice President Reubin Askew. As he would do so, he would get more involved over time. According to one of his aides, this was mainly because as he herd the stories and interacted with them, Askew came to realize the stigma that non-heterosexual people suffered under, especially with HIV, and the troubles they go through. Troubles that reminded him of what he oversaw with desegregation and civil rights back as Governor of Florida. With this issue now resonating further with him with this realization and change, Vice President Askew would become a more involved and prominent ally, focusing on civil rights for non-heterosexuals, with Udall giving him his full support.
The NBH helping with healthcare and HIV and AIDS info, it gathered traction and steam. With the re-election won, it was decided that perhaps an expo for many prominent leaders and speakers for the cause would be invited. Invited to meet and discuss matters with their supporters along with prominent congressfolk on issues such as work discrimination, dealings with religious organizations and so on. The Washington DC Conference (or the SATMUNI DC conference as it would later be called) was quite a varied affair where many matters were discussed along with advancing a coalition and promises of unity. Unsurprisingly though, there were plenty of problems to be solved along with the inevitable infighting that occurred. It was an exciting yet also tense time due to the passion and zeal people had for this. The Conference did have many ramifications and changes though.
One was on terminology. Thanks to third wave feminism synching with this, non-heterosexual people of color would gain prominent chances to speak and voice their concerns. One point, brought up by one of the younger invitees Cleo Manago, was the noted on the usage of the terms “gay” and “lesbian”, namely their connection to White/European backgrounds. Contrast this with the different terminology African-Americans used and on the benefits or issues with such, which brought tensions unsurprisingly. At the same time, points were acknowledged, especially with the younger folk, but also the reality of needing to be unified. From this discussion would a new term be created: “same-gender oriented”. Usually shortened to “same-gend” or “samegend” or SGO, it was co-created by Cleo as a more inclusive term regarding people of all races as a result of this need of coming together and the changes made since. Another was the term “multi” (short for “multisexual” or “multi-gender oriented”), which was done as a simple way for those attracted to more than one gender and supposedly was come up by one of the staff.
Another was on expanding support for transgender folk. Third wave feminism’s opposition to TERFs spread to the rising wave here and began leading to greater questions on sex and gender. Many talks were had and while there was some tension points, nothing had broken out from the matter. Fascinatingly enough, what brought the attention to transgender folk along with the creation of the term “multisexual” was the inclusion of intersex folk. Intersex individuals gained an awareness through the larger availability of the NBH and questions about it needing to be addressed to the medical community. Their inclusion was what also led to the beginning of the transition of inclusion, especially with the talks and stories shared, such as being granted surgeries on the genitalia or the like without consent as infants, mainly for trying to appear more “normal” and in complexities of sex and gender identity.
Perhaps one of the bigger helping points here was ironically, some of the staff at the conference, people like custodians or caterers. Given what the conference was about, the staff here were those passively supporting or indifferent initially to the issues of the attendents. Most of them were the traditional white heterosexual cismale workers though there was also the occasional woman and person of color. Regardless, the staff was generally a good representation of "the other", the "them" coinciding with the loose "us" that was the coalition of attendents. Howeber, it was because of that that they proved vital; they provided the “outsider perspective” that allowed the various different attendents to coalesce and function, overcoming the differences and the dangers of fallacious thinking such as "narcissism of small differences". Additionally, it allowed them to practice communicating their points to people outside of their sphere, the people that represented the general populace and who they would have to win over.
At the same time, these people also brought up points that only outsiders would note, such as perspective of the terms and a reminder of focusing on the bigger issues. An awkwardly humorous anecdote commonly found would be how the caterers, custodians and other staff often ended the potential sectarian fights, namely by serving as a reminde of the bigger "other" or by asking questions (during the need to address the terminology of white non-heterosexuals versus African-American non-heterosexuals, one particularly testy staff member noted what term would be used for interracial couples, creating a slightly scandalized silence yet others later noted that it did point out the need for a unifed term). At the same time, many of the staff commented that it was an eye-opening experience, especially on their more day to day aspects. Spending time with these people made them realize despite the differences in sexual orientation and the complexities of gender, they were still people and could bond over likes, dislikes and experiences.
As one custodian put it: “they’re people. People trying to live their lives and were born different.”
Another described it as “a reminder from God that the world is more diverse and complicated than we can imagine. And we must all care for each other. And I believe we have not been doing that enough, especially for them.”
This sort of mentality, especially when presented in interviews down the line, would begin spreading across the American mass consciousness slowly but surely over the time-being. For now however, the conference helped bring to light many of the issues that were facing them and one organization in particular would be formed by many of the individuals found here: The American SGO, Intersex, Multi & Transgender Association For Equality or ASIMTAFE for short. (i)
However, the big finale of the Conference would be a farewell speech by none other than Vice President Reubin Askew, thanking them all for coming all with being part of the exit interviews. When asked what he gathered from it, he surprised people by noting that in the same way the nonhetero community needed to deal with treating its members of color, he recalled how many nonhetero people of color felt that they could not open up to or were even discriminated by their peers, subtly shining a light on how other ethnic minorities had their own biases. He hoped that with everyone coming together, they could work on bringing equality to everyone and that he brought one final special guest-speaker.
Coretta Scott King.
Back in August 1983 in Washington, D.C., she urged amendment of the Civil Rights Act to include gays and lesbians as a protected class. Since then, she has been an advocate for civil rights leader to come forward for their next grand mission here in the US. She even noted how many of the young faces that were here and how they were all in solidarity, with her speech alongside with Askew’s exit interview being televised. It was certainly a conference that would be remembered and caused many to look back on thsneleves and the community, all while certain members in Congress began working on their next Civil Rights Act.
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(i)- The equivalent of OTL’s GLAAD
[1]- phrasing and information came from here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coretta_Scott_King#LGBT_equality
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Curious what the Udall administration will do to improve access to things for the blind.
Just curious is there going to be an equivalent to the iran-contra scandal in this version of the 80's? Obviously I know Udall is president and not Reagan but Iran Contra was such a huge story in OTL what would be it's equivalent here if there would be one at all?
Probably try their best to handle it and set s good example. Ella I am unsure because of her suicide but she might get counseling here.
Moscow Olympics did not have the boycott obviously. LA wouldn’t have the Soviets and other Warsaw members boycott. Iran would be here and probably not Iraq.