From the Darkness: A continuation of Death of a Nation - FINISHED

[sentinel]

An excerpt from Russ Feingold’s Death of a Nation

“In the immediate days after 9/2/2017 many who had hoped Xander would defeat Landrieu had second thoughts as Xander’s forces retreated west and south and USA forces moved forward –the bulk of their strength going south.

The nuclear attack was not without repercussion for Landrieu. Many in the Midwest who still believed in America –or at least had not outwardly rebelled—were now up in arms. Landrieu’s men began to arm local --what amounted to—warlords to keep the populace in line.

The nuclear attacks near Virginia and in North Carolina shook their people’s faith that the AFA was the right answer for them –but the opposite happened in New England which was spared of a nuclear detonation.

Many diaries that I have read of people in AFA controlled territory since that day note that the Xander’s promises dried up. First the aid came to their cities in large quantities and after that it quickly dried up –until only unfulfilled promises remained to the citizens in the Armed Forces of America’s territory….but many thought of Xander more highly than Landrieu –if they thought of the nation at all.

Darker = More Control (Less contested)
Lighter = Less Control (More contested)

Green – American Nation of California
Blue – United States of America
Red – Armed Forces of America
Gray – American Nation of Arizona
Gold – American Nation of New York


September 8, 2017 – Transmission from General Xander to his top generals

“All troops are to move south of any areas in which a nuclear bomb was detonated and forbidden from being due east.”

September 9, 2017 – War Room, President Landrieu and other top officials.

“Mr. President, AFA forces are retreating, it seems our nuclear attack has scared them.”
“Good, I want all our forces to follow them –hunt them down and kill them. No traitor will go unpunished.”
“Sir, they out number us –this does not seem like a good idea –“
“They are retreating, they know our air forces are superior, we have them running now is the time to strike.”
The Secretary of the Air Force interjects “Sir, the radiation –“
“The radiation won’t be an issue” Landrieu cuts off his Secretary. “Hunt them down.”
“Yes Mr. President.”

California Free Press - September 9, 2017

“Earlier today United States Secretary of Defense Rudy Giuliani was captured in the last area of America control in Idaho. Giuliani had been dispatched by President Palin to the western front prior to the accident that killed her and her family. Since then, his whereabouts had been unknown.

The California Attorney General has announced that Giuliani will be charged in California. The Armed Forces of America have already requested for Giuliani to be extradited, as well has the American Nation of New York –all claiming Giuliani’s citizenship. President Mark Wyland has called the claims “baseless.”

An excerpt from Russ Feingold’s Death of a Nation

“The Armed Forces of America continue their retreat into the fall and winter of 2017. Landrieu’s forces pursued them but Landrieu aggression and nearsightedness led to his own forces withering away.
   The areas controlled by the United States of America were mostly landlocked, and supplies were hard to come by. The Canadians had refused to help any side of the Second American Civil War so the United States, its people and its military began to starve, however; Landrieu did not realize it was not merely starvation killing his own troops.

[sentinel]

Conversation between two reporters – December 18, 2017

“You read the memo from AFA HQ?”
“Yeah, we’re not to address Landrieu as “President” anymore.”
“What do you think?”
“I don’t know…it’s a step closer to the policies that we’re fighting against.”
“I thought so too, but maybe they’re just trying to draw a contrast.”
“Is that guy even constitutionally the President?”
“Well, the power resides with him, and it resides with Xander. Both of them weren’t elected.”
“One dictator or the other?”
“More or less.”

An interview between a documentarian and a father in Missouri, in a town that has repeatedly gone back and forth between USA and AFA control – December 20, 2017

“Thank you for taking the time to sit down with me, I know its hard for you –“
“Not like we can go into town today anyway, the gunlord that Landrieu has in there will shoot on sight.”
“Why are they doing that? Don’t you need to go to town to buy…?”
“Well, its not like they sell much over there anymore, and its not like we can afford much. What people are left will go in to town to trade with others,  commodities is the currency here…”
“So why’d do they want to keep people out of town?”
“Don’t want us rioting, don’t want us assembling. They think since we were in AFA territory we’re all loyal to them now.”
“To be honest, I’m loyal to whoever is going to protect us and end the war.”
“Did AFA did that when they were here?”
“At first, they gave us supplies, food, aid, but then it quickly dwindled and as it became more sparse, their forces became more strict…more restrictions on what we could and couldn’t do…”
“Was there a real difference between the USA forces and AFA forces?”
“Yeah, the AFA forces weren’t killing randomly…there was violence still…they acted more like occupiers than liberators…the USA forces, well, they put these local gunlords in power…that was scarier for us than the AFA…you knew how to avoid trouble with the AFA…”

January 3, 2018 – Canadian Prime Minister Maxime Bernier’s Office

“Prime Minister, President Landrieu is asking for humanitarian assistance from us once again –this time they are threatening us with military action.”
“They do not have the capacity to hurt us. The minute they raise a hand to Canada is the minute Xander topples Landrieu. They know that.”
“Sir, their forces are on our border, they do still have nuclear weapons.”
“They used all the weapons they had access to, they are bluffing, and NORAD records confirm it.”
“Should we move troops sir?”
“No, Landrieu won’t advance. We’ve managed to keep Canada together with minimal uprisings throughout this…I’m surprised we managed to quell the radical Quebec movements concerns…but we’ve done it. We’ll beat back Landrieu if we have to as well.
“Are you worried about Xander?”
“Not yet.”


War Room – President Chuck Landrieu, Secretary of Defense George Rushbolt, Chief of Staff Tom Cole and other military officials  – January 5, 2018

“Force depletion report, Colonel.” The Secretary of Defense asked of an aide.
“Sir, our forces are depleting much more quickly than anticipated. Since our advance into the AFA occupied zones, we  have seen an increase in casualties…” the aide replied
“You have casualties in war, this isn’t new. How close are we to taking Xander out?” the President interrupted
“Sir, these aren’t normal battlefield casualties.” The aide squeaked
“What are they then?”
“Our forces rarely encounter combat with Xander’s…they have been retreating into areas not affected with radiation…that’s why ours are dying…they’re getting radiation poisoning…”
“Radiation? Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?” Landrieu looked to his Chief of Staff
“Sir, you’ve disregarded the depletion memos up until now, you’ve disregarded the advice of people who have disagreed with you…” one of Landrieu’s top generals spoke up.
“Since when do you think you can talk to me like that?” Landrieu grew angry and red.
“Mr. President, at this point we have no hope of winning this. The best we can do is surrender and get our men the medical attention that they need and des –“ as the General attempted to finish his sentence the President pulled his sidearm and shot the General in his steps.
“Anyone else have a complaint about our strategy?” the President asked

Armed Forces of America Headquarters – January 10, 2018

“We’ve just gotten the orders from above. Operation Swooping Eagle is a go.”
“Excellent.”

[sentinel]

Media Reports – late January 2018, early February 2018

“AFA forces are rolling back USA advances in the past few months. AFA has publicly released maps, now that they are on the advance, of areas that people should avoid that are affected by nuclear radiation. They “risk zones” are divided into extreme, high, medium, low and negligible.

“As AFA forces advanced back towards the nuclear affected areas, Xander ordered the evacuation of Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. It is unclear as to who exactly controls these states which have been almost completely devastated due to the concentration of nuclear explosions in that area after the attack by the Landrieu Administration.”


“The AFA has pledged humanitarian aid to anyone evacuating the nuclear-states (North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia) on their southern border. So far reports of humanitarian aid actually being there have been scarce.”

An excerpt from Russ Feingold’s Death of a Nation

“The southern border of the United States was increasingly disruptive as the Mexican people fought their own civil war between powerful organizations that originally formed around drug trade. The legitimate government had fallen after US illegal drug consumption dropped dramatically, and as a result the US stopped being the primary buyer of Mexican drugs. Competition grew exponentially and violence erupted all over Mexico. The government, which was already close to being a failed state, tried to stop it but the fight was too big for them. Now Mexico was being fought over between gangs that had only the interest of their own at heart –and profit.”

Their Central American neighbors were not faring much better, however; Canada took the title of the most democratic nation on earth.

At home, as the AFA forces pushed back Landrieu’s forces to the last three states that they still had control over – Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. As the war drew to what everyone thought was a close, tensions between the independent American states and the Armed Forces of America heated up. 

The nuclear attacks, the radiation poisoning, and incredible levels of dissent within the USA territories made the AFA offensive easier than anyone could have anticipated

By the time spring rolled around, everyone knew that Landrieu had lost the war, but what no one knew was if Xander had won.


April 1, 2018 – Pittsburgh Citizen’s recollection of that day

“Yeah, I remember April 1, 2018. We call that day the beginning of the end around here. One of Xander’s infantry units had taken the city about a day or two before –came and searched my home they did, and others too. They were looking for Landrieu, they couldn’t find him. They knew he was somewhere in Pittsburgh. Xander offered the forces still loyal to Landrieu a “get out of jail free” card if you will. Most of them took the offer, they went home. The ones still loyal, and they were few, fought til they were dead or captured –and the ones fighting were.

It was early in the morning on April 1st when a helicopter landed in a field outside Pittsburgh. The helicopter came for Landrieu –and I’m getting all this from what others in the city told me after –and Xander knew that Landrieu would flee –who would take him I don’t know –but Xander knew. Anyway, Xander’s guys took out the helicopter right before it took off.

Landrieu was alive when they got him.

April 2, 2018 – Statement from ‘Executive General Carl Xander of the United States of America

“It is with great happiness that today I come before the American people to tell the world that the war is over…We have triumphed over totalitarianism and the radicalism of the Palin Administration. We have triumphed over the disrespect and negligence shown to our armed forces, and we have triumphed over those opposed to democracy and our shared American values…It is today that I come to you and that the United States of America is back…but we are not complete. We owe a debt we can never pay to the lives lost, and today, I invite California, Arizona and New York to rejoin our great nation so that we can be whole once again. Only together can we move forward to prosperity.”

[sentinel]

Bump - Never updated the topic name yesterday to correspond with the update.

[sentinel]

How is South Dakota holding up after Daugaard was killed?

I realized that I was marking North Dakota as more heavily controlled by AFA when I really meant South Dakota. The mistake was only on the map, so its not a big deal.

South Dakota will be addressed later, thats all I'll say for now.

[sentinel]

So, I am guessing that this is only the end of the beginning?

In my head the entire timeline is divided into four or five parts. The first part is Death of a Nation by Blackwater Nik/Psychic Octopus, the second part is my beginning up until, I would say Palin's reelection. The third part we just completed.

As I'm explaining this, I do think there will be five parts.

[sentinel]

So probably how this nation will be united or not and the world that follows?

You'll find out.
-----------------------------



Presidents of the United States

44. Barack H. Obama* - January 20, 2009 - March 15, 2011
45. Joseph R. Biden - March 15, 2011 - January 20, 2013
46. Sarah L. Palin** - January 20, 2013 – June 2, 2017
47. Charles Landrieu – May 11, 2017 - June 2, 2017 – April 1, 2018 or Present***

*First President to be impeached and removed from office.
**Assassinated by agents of Charles Landrieu
*** - Charles Landrieu legally ascended to the Presidency, and therefore is still the President until January 20, 2021 or until removed from office by Congress. Landrieu is also currently in the custody by ‘Executive General’ Carl Xander.

Executive Generals of the United States of America

1.   Carl Xander – April 1, 2018 – Present*** (See above)
*Leader of the Armed Forces of America from February 6, 2017 to April 1, 2018


Vice Presidents of the United States

47. Joseph R. Biden - January 20, 2009 - March 15, 2011
Vacant* -  March 15, 2011 - January 20, 2013
48. Tom Corbett - January 20, 2013 – May 10, 2017
Vacant – May 10, 2017 – May 11, 2017
49. Charles Landrieu – May 11, 2017 – June 2, 2017
Vacant – June 2, 2017 – July 4, 2017
50. Gerald Moran – July 4, 2017 – Present**

* - If Biden appointed a Vice President or not is not specified in Death of a Nation by Blackwater Nik/Psychic Octopus. Leaving it vacant fits in with the timeline neatly.
** - Technically still Vice President, legally questionable in the first place, also in the custody of Xander

Losing Tickets for President of the United States of America

2012 - Hillary R. Clinton/Mark Warner
2016 - Russ Feingold/John Boehner

President of the American State of Arizona

1. Ken Bennett – January 19th 2017 – Present
*Previously Republican Governor of Arizona

President of the American State of California

1. Mark Wyland – March 3, 2017 – Present
*Previously Republican Governor of California


President of the American State of New York

1. Richard Fontana  - May 8th, 2017 – Present
*Previously Republican Governor of New York

[sentinel]

I've been busy, I'll update when I can.

[sentinel]

April 3, 2018 – Interview with former Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, in Mexico

“Governor, what do you –“
“Please, just call me Tim. Really. I don’t want to draw attention to myself…”
“Tim, thank you –what do you think of whats happening in the country right now?”
“Country? Which one?”
“The United States sir”
“There is no United States anymore. Yesterday that generalissimo, for lack of a better word, finished off what was the United States…and we have California and New York as sovereign nations…”
“What do you think is next?”
“For me? I came down to Mexico and opened up a tiki bar after I dropped out of the race for the presidency. This is where I plan to stay. This has continued to be one of the safer areas…although I don’t know how long that will last…”
“Wasn’t there a murder in broad daylight yesterday?”
“Only one. Like I said, one of the safer areas.”

Statement from President Mark Wyland of California

“Yesterday was a great victory for the forces of freedom. We have the opportunity to restore the United States now, an opportunity for us to come together again as one nation. I would like to extend an offer to General Carl Xander, and President Fontana on how to unite our nation once again. We will hold national elections in 3 months for the presidency to serve until January 20, 2021. A stipulation will be that Xander, myself and Fontana may not be candidates for the Presidency to ensure a free, fair and open democratic process…finally Xander must refrain from calling his nation the United States because it is inherently not the United States…”

Statement from President Richard Fontana of New York

“We are excited that President Wyland put forth a plan today, and we strongly endorse the plan. We will begin planning for elections immediately…we also request that General Xander refrain from beginning the trial process for the war criminals until the country is reunited…”

Statement from Executive General Xander’s Spokesperson

“We agree with the principals behind the offers from Presidents Wyland and Fontana but their timetable is much too short for us. The Executive General continues to focus on restoring order and giving humanitarian aid to the areas affected by the gruesome nuclear attacks, however; we encourage California and New York to rejoin the United States of America immediately so we can be strong once again. As for the war criminals, they will be put on trial immediately –our justice will be swift.”
   
Spring 2018 – An excerpt from Russ Feingold’s Death of a Nation

“After Executive General Xander declined  President Wyland’s offer for national reunification hope quickly faded for those who were paying attention. Towns and villages were still run like fiefdoms by those with the most weapons –but things were changing. Changing, but in some places these warlords were driven out by military forces and then those villages were occupied by those same soldiers.

By the end of spring 2018, the “humanitarian” effort that Executive General Xander claimed was happening –was seen by few. The states affected the most by the nuclear cloud were isolated and anyone trying to leave was forbidden. Those that came down with radiation poisoning were often never heard from again.

In other parts of the country, the mouth of Xander said pleasantries, but his hands did the opposite. Those who tried to set up their own elections were silenced and those who dared to speak up soon lost their voices as well.

In California and New York, people dreaded war –but some began to see it as the only option to reunite the country –while inside the “USA” Jane’s Fighters became active once more and openly condemned Xander for betraying the trust of so many Americans. Kaspar Gunter, their leader, would lead the operation from New York.

It was a warm spring day in June 2018 when Kaspar Gunter took credit for an bombing in Xander’s headquarters in Austin, Texas. Xander would be injured in the attack, but that only incensed him more. Xander called for Gunter to be brought to justice and for New York to hand him over.  Richard Fontana, President of New York –who was put in place with Gunter’s help--, would decline to hand over his own.

Simultaneously, California would also refuse to hand over war criminal Rudy Giuliani.

The spring would also see real democratic elections held in New York, Arizona and California, where Wyland, Ken Benett, and Fontana would respectively be elected President of their sovereign nations.

On July 4th 2018, President Wyland, President Fontana and President Bennett of Arizona, would sign the “Treaty of Olympia” forming the “Cross Continental Alliance” whose sole purpose would be to reunite the United States.

On July 5th 2018, the American Nation of Dakota would secede from the “United States” and the Cross Continental Alliance would guarantee their independence. On July 6th 2018, Executive General Carl Xander had enough and invaded the American Nation of Dakota. Hours later, Dakota formally joined the CCA and North American continent plunged into another war.

*Ignore the color shading.

Red - "United States of America"
Gold - American Nation of New York (Cross Continental Alliance)
Green - American Nation of California (Cross Continental Alliance)
Blue - American Nation of Dakota (Cross Continental Alliance)
Gray - American Nation of Arizona (Cross Continental Alliance)

[sentinel]

Heh, a nice pause there before the resumption of hostilities.  Didn't see Dakota coming, but ironically enough I'd been musing about those two lately and alternate ways they could have formed.

[South] Dakota had its Governor assassinated earlier in the timeline, which is why they were first to go now.

[sentinel]

An excerpt from Russ Feingold’s Death of a Nation

The most interesting thing about First War of American Reunification was that Executive General Xander did not have the control he thought he had when war broke out. His military was tired, and weary of fighting, his people had no morale –were starved, and the Cross Continental Alliance –even though not militarily superior, had the wind at their backs. Their people were propelled and excited by the prospect of reuniting America, and their leaders called Xander “Dictator” in all their public comments, and created propaganda with his face blended with Hitler’s.
   That’s not to say that Xander did not put up a fight. This was war, this was bloodshed, this was people dying unnecessarily –but Xander was on the defensive. The first months of the war proved to be beneficial for the Cross Continental Alliance. It is hard to say that other states joined their cause, because there was little centralized control in the states, but some groups that claimed to be legitimate Democratic governments did declare secession from Xander’s America claiming that Xander had violated the oath that the states entered the Union on –thereby voiding the contract.
The war most Americans saw was the battle to put food on the table for their family, the war against starvation, the war to simply stay alive. The people in Xander’s America were not deaf to the whispers of a better life in the sovereign American states –and it would inspire many to set up their own governments but that’s not to say Cross Continental Forces were a cure for the woes in Xander’s America.
   When Cross Continental Forces took over new territory, it is hard to say that they “controlled” or even “occupied” it. The bonds that held our communities together were nearly destroyed by the past five years of decline for the United States –and world.

August 7, 2018 – Executive General Xander’s conversation with the officer holding the war criminals

“Executive General sir.”
“General. How are our prisoners?”
“In solitary confinement like you ordered sir.”
“Good. I want you to execute them publicly. We need to teach Wyland and Fontana a lesson for backstabbing the United States.”
“Sir, it would be more secure to do it in the prison, privately…”
“Do it publicly, that’s an order.”

August 8th 2018 – Media Headlines

“Xander executes Chuck Landrieu and other Landrieu administration officials. Says “as the country’s supreme justice, I have judged on behalf of the American people that these people are guilty of the highest crimes against the United States of America…”

A spokesperson for the Cross Continental Alliance condemned what they called “murders” and said “justice has not been done.”

August 2018

American State of California – Green
American State of Arizona – Arizona (Gray)
American State of New York – Yellow
American State of Dakota – Blue
Armed Forces of America/United States of America – Red

Uninhabitable states due to nuclear radiation – Light blue

States that are no longer under the control of AFA/USA – Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina (Note: This does not imply these states have a centralized government, rather it probably means that AFA/USA has little to no control over the peoples of these states)

[sentinel]

I wonder what the national and global death toll is since Obama was removed and what else is happening in the world.

A quarter to a third of the world population.

[sentinel]

I will update soon.

[sentinel]

I want to finish this soon, so I will start to wrap up in the coming updates.

Conversation between Executive General Xander and his top military advisor – September 3, 2018

“Executive General, I think it is time that we begin to consider using nuclear weapons against the CCA.”
“Do you not remember what happened to Landrieu when he used them? His use of nuclear weapons directly led to our victory over him. If we use nuclear weapons on California, the radiation would haunt us in the end as well. We cannot scorch the earth that is rightfully ours.”

An excerpt from California President Mark Wyland’s journal – September 5, 2018

I never wanted to be at war. I never wanted to feel like I was the reason peoples lives were ending…but we wage this war so that more can have the lives that we had, so more can live in the America that our ancestors dreamed of. It is that dream I hope to save, and right now, it is once again a dream –but a dream without the chance to become reality if we did not do something…

I hope we can bring this to an end swiftly and restore the Union, I hope that the past few years have not burned the fabric of American society. California is not much better off right now than Xander’s America. We have had local elections, but many areas are still threatened by record level of violence…our military being gone has not helped our fight against it.”

September 25, 2018 – Media Reports

“The Cross Continental Alliance continues its push across the continent….the Alliance is beginning to see the problems associated with control of this new American society…less dense states are easier to control but those residing there do see CCA’s control as legitimate but are more passive due to the lack of organization…the more dense areas are hard to control, unwieldy, organized and do not see the CCA as legitimate, however; the CCA is making more progress than Xander or Landrieu have…”

“Wyland and Fontana’s alliance may just be what saves this country, but the path ahead is hard…”

Call between California President Wyland and New York President Fontana

“After Xander’s fall, we must form a new Constitutional convention. We have to prepare for this.” Fontana called Wyland that evening to talk about the aftermath.
“There is no way to calm people down in some of these areas…we need order.”
“And we need order for them to be able to vote. We must give them a reason to trust us.”
“Can we provide humanitarian aide?”
“California can barely provide for itself, I do not think both of our states can provide for the rest of the nation.”
“There will need to be representatives.”
“One from every county?”
“That would be over 3,000 representatives.”
“That might be the way it has to be. One representative for each county.”
“California would be the safest place to do this.”
“Lets set a date.”

Media Outlets, October 2018

“The Cross Continental Alliance is calling for a Constitutional Convention on April 2, 2019. One representative from every county in the United States will be allowed. Military leaders will help counties select their representative along with other democratic offices in their states.”

“General Xander has condemned the CCA, saying the convention is illegitimate. Xander’s forces are retreating to Texas, where CCA forces plan on defeating Xander.”

[sentinel]

January 5, 2019

San Diego Times Headline: “Xander falls, Wyland and Fontana say ‘victory is the American people’s”

New York Times: “CCA Declares Victory, Xander to be tried in Court”

New America Magazine: “Will America return?”

Associated Press: Xander’s grasp on few American states that still followed him loosened quickly as dissent rose and CCA forces advanced. CCA forces openly admit to not having complete control over every liberated, or occupied, region.

New America Press: “Why not apportion delegates by population?”


An excerpt from Russ Feingold’s ‘A Death of a Nation’

Wyland and Fontana’s alliance and subsequent victory was an unexpected turning point for the nation. For the first time in years things were looking up. Palin was gone, Landrieu was gone, and Xander was in jail for his crimes.

Presidents Fontana and Wyland invited John [Boehner] and I, along with our families, to move to San Francisco to help them prepare for the Constitutional Convention. We both accepted their offer. Late January we both arrived in San Francisco with our families and the CCA made John and I a critical part of what would become the Third Continental Congress. We guided and advised both Presidents along with their chief organizers at every step of the way.

 By March, criticisms over the “one delegate per county” rule were loud and many. Fontana and Wyland began to doubt their decision over the rule. John and I advised them to stand by their decision –and they did. The only question we had was would they vote in-bloc as states or as individual delegates. We decided to allow all the rules and procedures to be created by the Congress and by the presiding officer. I regret this decision to this day, but even now, I see no alternative.

We also decided that John and I, along with Presidents Wyland and Fontana would recommend to the Congress that they first select a presiding officer, and then create a rules committee. The presiding officer and the rules committee should adopt rules to run the Congress by.

While we planned, the CCA made little progress elsewhere in the nation. There were still food shortages, there were still riots and there were still gangs controlling communities. The CCA did not have the resources of a united nation at its disposal but they were making progress. Worst of all, jails were overcrowded and understaffed. I know personally that Wyland stayed up awake many nights thinking of the chaos a jail break would cause –and what progress it would immediately role back.

[sentinel]

An excerpt from Russ Feingold’s ‘A Death of a Nation’

The first day of the Third Continental Congress gave me hope. Two thousand six hundred thirty eight delegates sat in our convention hall –representing 87% of all the counties in the United States covering over 98% of the population of the United States. A truly impressive feat given the circumstances. The rest of the first day, along with the second, was given to meet and greets for the delegates to meet each other.

On the third day they were assembled and a told to select a presiding officer and then they would become a self-governing body. The presiding officer, and President of the Continental Congress, would be elected by majority. The Third Continental Congress decided to elect me, in their wisdom, as their presiding officer.

After, I would assemble the Rules Committee which consisted of twenty delegates. We agreed  that I would only vote in the event of a tie. That night we stayed up late devising the rules for the convention and the mode of debate. The next morning the Convention approved the rules of debate, and went on to vote on their first question:

VOTE TWO: RESTORE THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION WITHOUT CHANGE & AS IT WERE ON JANUARY 20, 2013

Yeas: 634 (24%)
Nays: 1,899 (72%)
Abstain: 105 (4%)

It was then that I realized this process would consume me.

[sentinel]

The country is basically in ruins and many could blame the constitutional as is on the fact that so much has happened.

Yes.

[sentinel]

From an interview with former New York President Mark Wyland

“Well, in the beginning we were all hopeful…but after Vote Three, we saw the rise of factions within the Congress…one delegate gave me his rough count of the factions at some point…”
“What were they?”
“The first one…and probably the easiest…they named themselves the Founders…these were the ones that voted Yes on Vote Three. All of them wanted the Constitution restored unchanged. Some were willing to compromise…most weren’t…”
“How many did they number?”
“Founders had around 300 in their caucus. The number changed often, it wasn’t formal. They would keep voting ‘No’ on any vote that changed a part of the Constitution.”
“What about the other 300 or so that voted Yeas on Vote Three?”
“They weren’t as reliable as the core 300 or so, but they were there, like I said this wasn’t formal…”
“So the other factions were?”
“Well, the second major one to pop up formed around Vote Four. Vote Four failed, and it was the God Caucus. They were pretty blunt about naming themselves. Vote Four would have put an amendment into the Constitution defining life at conception. It failed 63-30-7.  Russ had heard a rucus about it starting on the floor and he agreed to put it up for a vote if they didn’t put it up again. Well they reneged their part of the bargain and it went up for a vote again. There were about 500 in here.”
“Was this their only issue?”
“No, its just the one that brought them together. Russ pretty much helped them organize by letting them on the record about it. They were essentially a socially conservative Christian caucus. I don’t think they really met on economic issues.”

An excerpt from John Boehner’s diary

I’ve been watching Russ closely since he became President of the Continental Congress. He did well up until Vote Four –that was a mistake. He was tired and got overwhelmed by a small number of delegates who stormed his makeshift office. He let them put their issue to a vote and now they went from 30 to 500.

Vote Five should prove consequential though.

April 28, 2019

VOTE FIVE: The Third Constitutional Convention will create a new constitution for the United States of America.

YEA: 1,848 (70%)
NAY:  738 (28%)
ABSTAIN: 52 (2%)

VOTE SIX: GAGES THE CONGRESS’ OPINION ON  A LEGISLATURE

ORIGINAL CONSTITUION TEXT –  1,028 (38%)
ONE HOUSE ELECTED BASED ON STATE POPULATION (Eliminates Senate) WITH SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS – 896 (34%)
ONE HOUSE ELECTED PROPORTIONALLY BASED (By share in election IE – Democrats get 50% of votes, they get 50% of representatives etc) – 606 (23%)
NO FEDERAL LEGISLATURE –  98 (3%)
ABSTAIN/OTHER – 10 (.37%)

VOTE SEVEN: GAGES THECONGRESS’ OPINION ON AN EXECUTIVE

FEDERAL PRESIDENT WITH BROADER POWERS THAN ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION – 131 (5%)
FEDERAL PRESIDENT WITH LESS BROAD POWERS THAN ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION – 712 (27%)
FEDERAL PRESIDENT WITH ORIGINAL TEXT OF CONSTITUTION – 527 (20%)
NATIONALLY ELECTED CEREMONIAL PRESIDENT WITH EXECUTIVE DERIVING POWER FROM LEGISLATURE (Prime Minister) –  395 (15%)
CEREMONIAL MONARCH WITH EXECUTIVE DERIVING POWER FROM LEGISLATURE (Prime Minister) –  263 (10%)
NO FEDERAL PRESIDENT – 342 (13%)

An excerpt from Russ Feingold’s Death of a Nation

Vote Seven was the most concerning to me and in a way the least surprising. 65% of the Congress wanted to completely strip, dismantle, or limit the powers of the Presidency. Only 5% wanted to broaden it, and the rest wanted the status quo.

I thought at first that we could get away with the same structure of the legislature that we used to have –minus the decision about the executive –but as April turned into May, it looked like that would not happen…and then May turned to June and June turned to July –but in July we were able to vote on a few major proposals. By then there were caucuses, and then three major factions.

Caucuses:

The Founders - ~300 delegates. Favor original constitution. Could also be considered a faction.
God Caucus - ~500 delegates. Favor Christian values in the new Constitution
Palin Caucus - ~800 delegates. Named themselves the Palin Caucus to be ironic. Favors strong limitations on the power of the presidency. This caucus had the most support by far.
Roosevelts - ~50 delegates. Favored the American influenced Japanese Constitution
Smaller caucuses – ~888 delegates
No caucuses - ~100 delegates

Factions:

Citizen Faction -  Favors strong national legislature, weak presidency, and overall strong national government. Sees only the Presidency as a cause of the Second American Civil War. ~900 delegates
Compatriot Faction - Favors weak national legislature, weak presidency and stronger state governments. Sees Congress and the Presidency as a cause of the Second American Civil War. ~500 delegates
Henderson Faction – Named after delegate Greg Henderson. Favors a British-like (system in the United States. Sees the original Constitution as inherently flawed. ~700 delegates

No faction allegiance - ~500

[sentinel]

An excerpt from Russ Feingold’s A Death of a Nation

In July we voted on several Constitutional Proposals by instant run-off voting to see which one had the most support. The winner would have been only a blueprint for the convention to work with.

The Blunt Constitution – No federal government, states would pledge to protect each other in times of need if they are able. Supported by some elements of the Compatriot Faction.

The Compatriot Constitution – Extremely weakened national government who’s primary duty is national defense and elections. Supported by the Compatriot Faction.

The Henderson Constitution –Creates a legislature elected proportionally, a ceremonial nationally elected President and an executive derived from the national legislature. Supported by the Henderson Faction

The Congressional Constitution – A Constitution that further defined and weakened the powers of the presidency and strengthening the national legislature. Supported by the Citizen Faction

The Original Constitution – Supported by the Founders Faction/Caucus

First Round:

Congressional Constitution – 33%    
Henderson Constitution -  23%          
Compatriot Constitution -19%
Original Constitution – 15%
Blunt Constitution – 7%
None of the above – 3%

Second Round:

Congressional Constitution – 33%
Compatriot Constitution -24%
Henderson Constitution -  23%
Original Constitution – 15%
None of the above – 5%

Third Round:

Congressional Constitution – 33%
Compatriot Constitution -27%
Henderson Constitution -  25%
None of the above – 15%

Fourth Round:

Congressional Constitution – 42%
Compatriot Constitution -30%
None of the above – 28%

Fifth Round:

Congressional Constitution – 45%
None of the above – 55%


After the vote on a blue print Constitution, it was clear that there were already deep divisions in the Continental Convention. The majority of the convention would rather have no constitution than use the most popular as a blueprint.

Unfortunately while we sat in the Convention, the situation in the rest of the United States grew worse.

News Report – August 2019

”CCA forces have taken a step back in their progress in restoring order in the central and eastern United States. Many of CCA’s forces are tied up keeping the quarantine on the states affected by the nuclear attacks and keeping order in communities…”

”Local and state elections have single digit turnout outside of New York and California…CCA forces found it hard to keep voting places open in some areas and in others hard to find anyone who would vote…”

”One local resident told us the feeling in his community was that the government should be focusing on getting them more food rather than semantics over a Constitution, asking ‘is this new Constitution going to feed us?’

[sentinel]

An excerpt from Russ Feingold’s A Death of a Nation

“As summer turned to fall, and fall turned to winter of 2019, we still did not have a Constitution. We were closer –we had decided to work with the Congressional Constitution blueprint –but even that proved troublesome. It took weeks for delegates to accept that as the blueprint and then the factions began to lobby for changes that reflected their own.

The Convention by January 2020 was at a stalemate, but what concerned me was the growing caucus that wanted to end the convention and “let the states deal with this on their own.” Basically, a group calling for the dissolution of the Union.

Interview with Ken Bennett, President of Arizona

“As you know, Mr President –there has been not much progress in the Continental Convention. What are your thoughts on how to solve this problem?”

“Well, I think this is what you get when you put a Washington politician like Russ Feingold in charge of a convention mandated with crafting a Constitution for the Union.”

“Are you suggesting that former Senator Feingold is the reason for the stalemate?”

“He’s certainly not helping the problem. Look, everything we’ve fought for in the past five or seven years has been against a problem that started in Washington. Sarah Palin and Chuck Landrieu came to power from Washington. Carl Xander –started in Washington as well. When Arizona broke away from the Union we did fine, and we are still doing fine. We have trade agreements with our neighbors and the only wars we have been threatened with are from where? Washington.”

“Mr. President, there have been many caucuses or conventions formed at the Continental Convention. If you were there, what one do you think you’d find yourself in?”

“That’s hard to say because I’m not actually there –but one that I really like, is the Fifty Stars Caucus. They believe every star on the flag should have its own chance to govern themselves for once –without Washington mandating what to do. That’s what this Convention is all about –politicians creating a new mandate from a new Washington. Let the states try it by themselves for once. Arizona, New York and California are doing fine.”


News Headlines

“ARIZONA PRESIDENT ENDORSES STATE SOVEREIGNITY”

“BENNETT: FEINGOLD NUMBER ONE PROBLEM AT CONVENTION”

“FEINGOLD REFUSES TO COMMENT ON CONVENTION DELIBERATIONS”

“FOOD SHORTAGES TO GET WORSE”

[sentinel]

An excerpt from Russ Feingold’s Death of a Nation

“…and it was Spring 2020 when things began to spiral out of control. I tried. I truly did. I did not think I had it in me after I lost that election in 2016, but I mustered up the energy to try…and it wasn’t enough.

Bennett’s criticism of my leadership wasn’t what hurt. It was his endorsement of everything we’ve been fighting against. We had been fighting against the dissolution of the Union, and we had been fighting to keep it together even after the tyrannical rule of Sarah Palin, Chuck Landrieu and Carl Xander. Bennett was the first domino to fall, and unfortunately many others heard what he had to say, and it stuck.

The spring of 2020 brought a new round of riots from the food shortages. Rumors were rampant about feasts at the Continental Convention when in reality we were only marginally better off than the rest of the country. The rumors didn’t help. Attrition in the CCA military rose quickly, and there were some communities that were swearing off CCA support. Fontana and Wyland decided that if a community or state rejected CCA forces they would leave. They couldn’t afford another war.

On September 4th, 2020, after months and months of delaying a vote because I knew the outcome –I couldn’t resist anymore. A vote to end the Third Continental Congress came to the floor. The results? 69% voted to end the Congress. Just enough.

Even though the media helped pushed the narrative of the Congress to this ends, the result was devastating to the nation. The last glimmer of hope that was the Congress was evaporated. The CCA quickly dissolved as states began to aggressively assert their own sovereignty. Fontana and Wyland tried their hardest but they quickly moved their own forces back into their respective states boarders as a new war between states loomed for those who meddled in the affairs of others.

Years later, looking back on this, I regret one thing, bringing the motion to end the Third Continental Congress to the floor. It is with that vote that I sealed the death of a nation.

[sentinel]

Presidents of the United States

44. Barack H. Obama* - January 20, 2009 - March 15, 2011
45. Joseph R. Biden - March 15, 2011 - January 20, 2013
46. Sarah L. Palin** - January 20, 2013 – June 2, 2017
47. Charles Landrieu – May 11, 2017 - June 2, 2017 – April 1, 2018 or August 8, 2018***
48. Gerard Moran - August 8, 2018 - January 20, 2021****

*First President to be impeached and removed from office.
**Assassinated by agents of Charles Landrieu
*** - Charles Landrieu legally ascended to the Presidency, and therefore is still the President until January 20, 2021 but was executed by Executive General Carl Xander prior to that date.
**** - Moran even though in custody by Xander, was technically President under the United States Constitution


Executive Generals of the United States of America

1.   Carl Xander – April 1, 2018 – January 4, 2019*** (See above)
*Leader of the Armed Forces of America from February 6, 2017 to April 1, 2018


Vice Presidents of the United States

47. Joseph R. Biden - January 20, 2009 - March 15, 2011
Vacant* -  March 15, 2011 - January 20, 2013
48. Tom Corbett - January 20, 2013 – May 10, 2017
Vacant – May 10, 2017 – May 11, 2017
49. Charles Landrieu – May 11, 2017 – June 2, 2017
Vacant – June 2, 2017 – July 4, 2017
50. Gerald Moran – July 4, 2017 –August 8, 2018**

* - If Biden appointed a Vice President or not is not specified in Death of a Nation by Blackwater Nik/Psychic Octopus. Leaving it vacant fits in with the timeline neatly.
** - Technically still Vice President, legally questionable in the first place, also in the custody of Xander

Losing Tickets for President of the United States of America

2012 - Hillary R. Clinton/Mark Warner
2016 - Russ Feingold/John Boehner

President of the American State of Arizona

1. Ken Bennett – January 19th 2017 – May 30, 2032
*Previously Republican Governor of Arizona

President of the American State of California

1. Mark Wyland – March 3, 2017 – March 3, 2023
*Previously Republican Governor of California


President of the American State of New York

1. Richard Fontana  - May 8th, 2017 –May 8, 2025
*Previously Republican Governor of New York

United States of America - July 4, 1776 - September 4, 2020

[sentinel]

Final map?

Not making a final map, but it would be states or subdivisions of the states as independent nations. Later down the line, I'd probably say there would be one hegemon in each region of the former US and many small buffer nations.

[sentinel]

So America probably goes the way of Europe in the next several centuries? Maybe there is someone who is ambitious enough to cobble up a unified America in the future like in the Liebowicz series and perhaps California and New York remain as powerful rump nations, kind of like the Byzantiums of the 3rd Millenium AD.

America in 2045

Red- New California Republic (also has the Cour D'elene and Tuscon corridor, which is disputed with ASA and RLDS.
Blue- The Republican of the Latter Day Saints
Grey- American State of Arizona , Republic of Wyoming
Blue- The Commonwealth of New York (CNY)
Green- Vermont and Maine (To Canada)
Red- Rock Island Republic
Green- Republic of Texas (Green)
Grey- American State of Florida
Red- The Confederate States of America

Kansas, Missouri Kentucky and West Viriginia are basically run by various large estate holders that do the bidding of the more organized territories around them. St Louis is a self-governing City-States and various academic communities are independent.

There is also a Kingdom of Hawaii and Canada has joined Alaska and Canada is also beginning to expand into Eastern Siberia and into the North Atlantic.

I appreciate your interest and support, but I don't support fan-fiction on the same thread as mine

[sentinel]

bump

Thanks for bumping haha, did you like it?


SPOILER: After rereading, I do like how well I incorporated the title into the end of the story...and into the main narrator's own storyline.