Rumsfeldia: Fear and Loathing in the Decade of Tears
- Thread starter Drew
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While speculating, I realized a horrifying prospect that may come about post-Rumsfeldia; Neo-Nazism may have more juice. I am sure that many Americans will find it hard to believe that the land of the free and home of the brave that beat Hitler and crushed the Communists in Korea and Vietnam will become a shell of its former self. Therefore, the "stab in the back" theory that was common in the Weimar Republic will certainly spread in the post-Rumsfeldia devastation. Anti-Semitism will be particularly prominent in some circles because Milton Friedman was Jewish and the name Rumsfeld sounds Jewish. It will certainly lead to the wrong conclusions, mainly being that "Zionist-Bolshevik" forces deliberately brought down America to betray the world to Marxism 
.
For coming updates, I think it would be cool to see more articles and essays. It would be particularly cool to see an American version of the diary of Kiang Liu documentary that last days of Rumsfeldia (or possibly Dentonia).
.For coming updates, I think it would be cool to see more articles and essays. It would be particularly cool to see an American version of the diary of Kiang Liu documentary that last days of Rumsfeldia (or possibly Dentonia).
While speculating, I realized a horrifying prospect that may come about post-Rumsfeldia; Neo-Nazism may have more juice. I am sure that many Americans will find it hard to believe that the land of the free and home of the brave that beat Hitler and crushed the Communists in Korea and Vietnam will become a shell of its former self. Therefore, the "stab in the back" theory that was common in the Weimar Republic will certainly spread in the post-Rumsfeldia devastation. Anti-Semitism will be particularly prominent in some circles because Milton Friedman was Jewish and the name Rumsfeld sounds Jewish. It will certainly lead to the wrong conclusions, mainly being that "Zionist-Bolshevik" forces deliberately brought down America to betray the world to Marxism
For coming updates, I think it would be cool to see more articles and essays. It would be particularly cool to see an American version of the diary of Kiang Liu documentary that last days of Rumsfeldia (or possibly Dentonia).
I get the funny feeling that you might see something occur with the generals, resistance, maybe even the Soviets pulling off a de-Rumsfeldia style thing on the United States. Like they might have pictures and video footage of Rumsfeld's gulag-style institutions with something to the effect of: "Who is responsible for this atrocity? YOU ARE!" kinda like how the Allies did after World War II.
I don't think that would happen. It would be more a series of attacks on the institutions that maintained and enforced Rumsfeld rule, like large corporations, suburbs and gated communities, and of course, various conservative Protestant churches. I imagine that after Rumsfeldia's fall, people like Jerry Falwell are arrested, and their mega churches are heavily vandalized
Or you could have weirder things.
The story will end with Rumsfeld contacting his higher self through yoga.
ThePest179
Banned
While speculating, I realized a horrifying prospect that may come about post-Rumsfeldia; Neo-Nazism may have more juice. I am sure that many Americans will find it hard to believe that the land of the free and home of the brave that beat Hitler and crushed the Communists in Korea and Vietnam will become a shell of its former self. Therefore, the "stab in the back" theory that was common in the Weimar Republic will certainly spread in the post-Rumsfeldia devastation. Anti-Semitism will be particularly prominent in some circles because Milton Friedman was Jewish and the name Rumsfeld sounds Jewish. It will certainly lead to the wrong conclusions, mainly being that "Zionist-Bolshevik" forces deliberately brought down America to betray the world to Marxism
I was thinking white supremacist would see Rumsfeld as their hero, due to Rumsfeld's deregulation allowing racists to operate in the open and due to the anti-urban, anti-socialist vigor and passive racism of the Rumsfeld regime. Do note that Rumsfeld and Cheney deliberately tried to stir up hatred against minorities in order to get votes and justify their authoritarian practices (Chinese in particular were singled out).
ThePest179
Banned
Can someone sum up what's been happening in Israel and the Arab-Israeli Conflict through the TL? Thanks in advance.
The Arabian peninsula as a whole has basically collapsed, and Israel is over-stretching itself militarily as a result. They're probably one of the most capable powers in the region, but don't expect that to last. As for internal politics, I don't really know, but as I recall, the PJO is the dominant force in Palestine. And that's about the extent of what I remember off the top of my head.
There are some more modern examples like Vietnam fought the Chinese to a draw in '79 OTL, and the Greeks beat the Italians in the 40's, and Poland beat USSR in the 20's. So it not impossible, some of the main reasons the the underdogs won was the larger military often poorly led, supplied, and had morale issues. All of which apply the U.S here. I do think Rumsfeld could win this war, but it is going to be costly and do more to show the degree the that U.S has atrophied under his rule. He might have been better trying just conducting a naval bombardment or some kind of punitive expedition. That make Cuba look less important and it would have been harder for him to screw up.
Pangur
Donor
The question has got to be, what does winning the war in Cuba mean? Defeating the Cuban army , OK with out any outside support thats just a matter of time .Then you get to the hard bit - hold it against guerrilla war. They would be highly motivated anyway and if the US use nukes double so. Nope, this one is well and truly lost in the long term
He could've probably won the war (although there's no way he could've won the peace), but since the U.S. has a lot of troops stationed elsewhere, combined with the utterly decimated logistics, this is less the Greco-Italian War and more the First Italo-Ethiopian War, which didn't exactly go well for the Italians...
On the other hand, if Cuba manages to survive this war, the prestige of Castro will go through the roof throughout Latin America. He'd be worshipped as the man willing to stand up to Rumsfeld and prevailing. Castro would also be highly popular with the WTP folks along with other leftists in the US.
guinazacity
Banned
As soon as the news of the debacle hit the US and the world, he will be treated as a damned hero.
Israel is expanding its area of control into the weaker areas of Syria and Arabia. It still controls Sinai, and so may be able to extend its influence into a weakened Egypt.
Arabia is in a state of Civil War. Qatar has collapsed; the other Gulf States are trying to defend themselves against radical insurgents. Iran (under a military dictatorship) is increasing its power in the region in the absence of a Saudi counterbalance. Iraq's military and political resources are being strained trying to prop-up its puppet regime in Arabia while trying to hold off Iran. Syria exists as an independent state with a small constabulary type protective force, leaving it severely weakened in the face of Israeli power, and has a rival to the north in Turkey to hem it in as well. Jordan is in the middle, trying to walk the narrow path and keep the chaos in Arabia from spreading to its borders.
Drew, could you go in more detail about Hawaii? Considering the fact that they actually restored the monarchy after thirty years of democratic republican government and ninety years after Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown and the Republic of Hawaii declared, I really wonder how that went down with the people of Hawaii.
I was wondering how the latter had managed to squeeze into an F-16 cockpit.
Television Ad: Chuck Norris walks through a jungle dressed in combat fatigues and sporting assorted weapons.
“I’m Chuck Norris, and I’m here today to support our troops in their fight against the Communist tyrants of Cuba.”
Norris next fells a couple of Cuban soldiers with a series of karate moves.
“Won’t you join with our brave troops, and bring the fight for freedom to the oppressed? Sign-up today and make your kick for freedom and our great President Rumsfeld.”
He knocks over another Cuban solider.
“Just tell them Chuck Norris sent you.”
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The Hughes Television Network News:
“First-up tonight, our brave armed forces have been successful on every front in defeating the oppressive Communist forces of Cuba. On every corner of the island, Communists are in full retreat or surrendering in large groups to our victorious troops. Everywhere our troops are being greeted by the long oppressed, suffering people of Cuba as heroes.”
The background shows American soldiers marching through a city being greeted as heroes.
With the Resistance
Al Gore: “Hey, wait a minute, I know that place. That’s Ceiba, in Puerto Rico, near the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. I did a news report from there.”
Bill Clinton: “The whole thing is being staged. We need to get some of that BBC feed to our friends in television.”
---------------------------------
The Hughes Television Network News:
“Around the world today, millions of oppressed citizens marched in support of President Rumsfeld’s bold move to liberate Cuba, and called on him and our brave forces to bring freedom to their countries. Here we see crowds in London heckling British Prime Minister Kinnock and drowning out his attempts to condemn the liberation of Cuba. The British people are demanding he step down and allow them to enjoy freedom under an American-style government.
“In Saigon, which the United States defended against Communism only a decade ago, a Buddhist monk set himself on fire outside of the British Embassy, protesting their opposition to President Rumsfeld’s freedom agenda.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBC World News:
“For over a week now the United States forces have faced stiff resistance from not only the Cuban armed forces, but the whole of the Cuban population. While, after the set-backs of the first day, American forces were able to subdue many defensive units around the country, their continued progress has been slowed by severe house-to-house combat in the cities, and guerrilla-style resistance in the countryside. Casualty figures have not been confirmed, but are reported to be high on both sides.
“Meanwhile, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London did confirm today that an American Army Major General, one Colin Powell, had been turned over to British diplomats by retreating Cuban forces. The Cubans had planned to send General Powell out of the country by commercial airliner, but this proved to be impossible due to the American air forces’ quarantine of the islands air space. Sources say that General Powell is currently at the British Embassy in Havana, where he has sought sanctuary.
“So far, American forces have surrounded foreign diplomatic buildings in the Cuban capital, but have not moved into any of them – which would be an act of war under international law.
“We know that just prior to the invasion that the France reinforced its Embassy security detail with a company of Foreign Legion troops. Even if they did resist, it would only be a token, as the American forces could easily overtake them, but in the process would be opening-up a conflict with another nuclear armed power.
“In Moscow today, the Kremlin again condemned the invasion and called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to bring in sanctions against the United States. The Soviets further moved a contingent of troops to Portugal, which can be seen as a clear message to Washington of the Soviets resolve, should the American administration seek to expand its invasion.
“In Britain Prime Minister Kinnock addressed thousands of protestors gathered outside of the United States Embassy in Grosvenor Square in London, calling the invasion a “a barbarous act of international thuggery.” At times the shouts of support for the Prime Minister’s remarks were so loud that he had to stop speaking and wait for the crowd to calm down.
“The protestors are continuing their twenty-four hour vigil, essentially creating a human barricade around the U.S. Embassy. London police have been reluctant to interfere with the protestors, despite repeated demands from the Ambassador that the British authorities clear them away and allow free access to the Embassy. The Home Office has declined to comment on earlier rumors that several of the American staff at the Embassy had defected and were requesting asylum in the UK.
“Paris, Moscow, Munich, Rome. Tokyo, Saigon – to name but some large cities around the globe – have seen large protests against the American action. In Berlin, protestors have erected a life size statue of Cuban leader Fidel Castro in front of the U.S. Consulate. In Saigon a Buddhist monk lit himself on fire in protest outside of the U.S. Embassy.”
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Lieutenant Nick Coppola smoked a cigar as he sat under a tree, letting the last week’s events wash over him. The Cuban cigar was fragrant and relaxed him – as well as keeping the ever present mosquitos at bay. Coppola had become covered in mosquito bites since landing on this island.
The remains of his unit had joined up with others – airborne, Marines, one or two air jockeys who managed to bail out before their planes crashed – to form a rag tag force that had fought itself back to an American held area. All around it was becoming clear that the people who survived were the ones who threw away their issued equipment and picked-up Soviet-made Cuban gear.
Many of Coppola’s troops – and even the Lieutenant himself – looked more like Cuban troops than Americans. That was causing some friendly-fire incidents in some of the forward areas, which only added to the whole chaos.
Two MPs, their uniforms crisp and new (showing that they’d just arrived on the island and hadn’t done any real fighting) came-up to Coppola as he puffed on his cigar. As they swaggered toward him, Coppola puffed away, his hand gripping a Makarov pistol, which was hidden from their view by his leg.
“You there, Lieutenant! You’re wearing enemy gear. That’s been prohibited by Division.”
“Fuck Division and fuck you,” Coppola said. “This stuff works. Your stuff is shit, and whoever issued it should be shot.”
“You Commie bastard! Get on your feet! You’re under arrest!”
Coppola started to rise, drew his Makarov out and shot both MPs dead with a calm, practiced skill of a man who had been fighting off the enemy non-stop for a week. These two were no different, not to his current state of mind.
“Arrest this, assholes,” he said.
----------------------------------------------
Lance Corporal LJ Smith had come across what he thought was a combat medical team working on the wounded in the jungle. He approached quietly just the same; a week of fighting in the jungle against Cuban and Portuguese snipers had made him wary.
As he got closer he noticed that their uniforms were strange – not regular U.S. issue – not even for the Army – and he dropped down for more cover to see what was going on.
What LJ took to be a combat medic, finished assessing two wounded Marines, and rose to his feet. It was only then that LJ saw a Liberty Battalion insignia on the man’s khakis. Coolly, the “medic” (who actually had no medical insignia at all) drew his pistol and shot the first Marine.
“Why?” A second, wounded Marine cried out, helpless to take any action.
“Orders, Marine,” the Liberty Battalion “medic” replied. “A wounded man costs thousands over a lot of years, a body bag and a burial a lot less. You might say, we’re allowing you to do a final duty for your country by cutting the cost of handling your return.”
The man laughed and then shot the Marine dead.
LJ exploded with anger and gunned down the Liberty Battalion “medic” and his two startled associates.
He approached the two dead Marines and sat beside them, stunned, angry and unable to think.
Soon LJ decided that the enemy was not the Cubans.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
“I’m Chuck Norris, and I’m here today to support our troops in their fight against the Communist tyrants of Cuba.”
Norris next fells a couple of Cuban soldiers with a series of karate moves.
“Won’t you join with our brave troops, and bring the fight for freedom to the oppressed? Sign-up today and make your kick for freedom and our great President Rumsfeld.”
He knocks over another Cuban solider.
“Just tell them Chuck Norris sent you.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hughes Television Network News:
“First-up tonight, our brave armed forces have been successful on every front in defeating the oppressive Communist forces of Cuba. On every corner of the island, Communists are in full retreat or surrendering in large groups to our victorious troops. Everywhere our troops are being greeted by the long oppressed, suffering people of Cuba as heroes.”
The background shows American soldiers marching through a city being greeted as heroes.
With the Resistance
Al Gore: “Hey, wait a minute, I know that place. That’s Ceiba, in Puerto Rico, near the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. I did a news report from there.”
Bill Clinton: “The whole thing is being staged. We need to get some of that BBC feed to our friends in television.”
---------------------------------
The Hughes Television Network News:
“Around the world today, millions of oppressed citizens marched in support of President Rumsfeld’s bold move to liberate Cuba, and called on him and our brave forces to bring freedom to their countries. Here we see crowds in London heckling British Prime Minister Kinnock and drowning out his attempts to condemn the liberation of Cuba. The British people are demanding he step down and allow them to enjoy freedom under an American-style government.
“In Saigon, which the United States defended against Communism only a decade ago, a Buddhist monk set himself on fire outside of the British Embassy, protesting their opposition to President Rumsfeld’s freedom agenda.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBC World News:
“For over a week now the United States forces have faced stiff resistance from not only the Cuban armed forces, but the whole of the Cuban population. While, after the set-backs of the first day, American forces were able to subdue many defensive units around the country, their continued progress has been slowed by severe house-to-house combat in the cities, and guerrilla-style resistance in the countryside. Casualty figures have not been confirmed, but are reported to be high on both sides.
“Meanwhile, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London did confirm today that an American Army Major General, one Colin Powell, had been turned over to British diplomats by retreating Cuban forces. The Cubans had planned to send General Powell out of the country by commercial airliner, but this proved to be impossible due to the American air forces’ quarantine of the islands air space. Sources say that General Powell is currently at the British Embassy in Havana, where he has sought sanctuary.
“So far, American forces have surrounded foreign diplomatic buildings in the Cuban capital, but have not moved into any of them – which would be an act of war under international law.
“We know that just prior to the invasion that the France reinforced its Embassy security detail with a company of Foreign Legion troops. Even if they did resist, it would only be a token, as the American forces could easily overtake them, but in the process would be opening-up a conflict with another nuclear armed power.
“In Moscow today, the Kremlin again condemned the invasion and called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to bring in sanctions against the United States. The Soviets further moved a contingent of troops to Portugal, which can be seen as a clear message to Washington of the Soviets resolve, should the American administration seek to expand its invasion.
“In Britain Prime Minister Kinnock addressed thousands of protestors gathered outside of the United States Embassy in Grosvenor Square in London, calling the invasion a “a barbarous act of international thuggery.” At times the shouts of support for the Prime Minister’s remarks were so loud that he had to stop speaking and wait for the crowd to calm down.
“The protestors are continuing their twenty-four hour vigil, essentially creating a human barricade around the U.S. Embassy. London police have been reluctant to interfere with the protestors, despite repeated demands from the Ambassador that the British authorities clear them away and allow free access to the Embassy. The Home Office has declined to comment on earlier rumors that several of the American staff at the Embassy had defected and were requesting asylum in the UK.
“Paris, Moscow, Munich, Rome. Tokyo, Saigon – to name but some large cities around the globe – have seen large protests against the American action. In Berlin, protestors have erected a life size statue of Cuban leader Fidel Castro in front of the U.S. Consulate. In Saigon a Buddhist monk lit himself on fire in protest outside of the U.S. Embassy.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lieutenant Nick Coppola smoked a cigar as he sat under a tree, letting the last week’s events wash over him. The Cuban cigar was fragrant and relaxed him – as well as keeping the ever present mosquitos at bay. Coppola had become covered in mosquito bites since landing on this island.
The remains of his unit had joined up with others – airborne, Marines, one or two air jockeys who managed to bail out before their planes crashed – to form a rag tag force that had fought itself back to an American held area. All around it was becoming clear that the people who survived were the ones who threw away their issued equipment and picked-up Soviet-made Cuban gear.
Many of Coppola’s troops – and even the Lieutenant himself – looked more like Cuban troops than Americans. That was causing some friendly-fire incidents in some of the forward areas, which only added to the whole chaos.
Two MPs, their uniforms crisp and new (showing that they’d just arrived on the island and hadn’t done any real fighting) came-up to Coppola as he puffed on his cigar. As they swaggered toward him, Coppola puffed away, his hand gripping a Makarov pistol, which was hidden from their view by his leg.
“You there, Lieutenant! You’re wearing enemy gear. That’s been prohibited by Division.”
“Fuck Division and fuck you,” Coppola said. “This stuff works. Your stuff is shit, and whoever issued it should be shot.”
“You Commie bastard! Get on your feet! You’re under arrest!”
Coppola started to rise, drew his Makarov out and shot both MPs dead with a calm, practiced skill of a man who had been fighting off the enemy non-stop for a week. These two were no different, not to his current state of mind.
“Arrest this, assholes,” he said.
----------------------------------------------
Lance Corporal LJ Smith had come across what he thought was a combat medical team working on the wounded in the jungle. He approached quietly just the same; a week of fighting in the jungle against Cuban and Portuguese snipers had made him wary.
As he got closer he noticed that their uniforms were strange – not regular U.S. issue – not even for the Army – and he dropped down for more cover to see what was going on.
What LJ took to be a combat medic, finished assessing two wounded Marines, and rose to his feet. It was only then that LJ saw a Liberty Battalion insignia on the man’s khakis. Coolly, the “medic” (who actually had no medical insignia at all) drew his pistol and shot the first Marine.
“Why?” A second, wounded Marine cried out, helpless to take any action.
“Orders, Marine,” the Liberty Battalion “medic” replied. “A wounded man costs thousands over a lot of years, a body bag and a burial a lot less. You might say, we’re allowing you to do a final duty for your country by cutting the cost of handling your return.”
The man laughed and then shot the Marine dead.
LJ exploded with anger and gunned down the Liberty Battalion “medic” and his two startled associates.
He approached the two dead Marines and sat beside them, stunned, angry and unable to think.
Soon LJ decided that the enemy was not the Cubans.
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