Red States/Blue States screw it two worlds.

[NomadicSky]

December 20, 2008 one month before the 2009 presidential inauguration Bill an ASB decides hes had it with our politics...he splits the US into two countries existing in two parallel universes. World 1...blue states World A...red states.

Not necessarily going by traditional red states/blue states just dividing the country by states that carried McCain vs states that carried Obama. Residents are moved back to their state of residence, or if over seas go with the world their state of residence ends and the US ends divided thus... *DC isn't a state but it goes with World 1. And territories not being states are duplicated into both worlds...so each world gets a Puerto Rico, Guam...ect



EDIT...everything where these states used to be has been replaced by pleistocene wilderness...there are no humans and its like they've never been there.

[Prof.Pedant]

Originally Posted by NomadicSky

December 20, 2008 one month before the 2009 presidential inauguration Bill an ASB decides hes had it with our politics...he splits the US into two countries existing in two parallel universes. World 1...blue states World A...red states.
[snip]

Are the Red States in the Blue State universe (and vice versa) wilderness? Or identical to what they were but uninhabited (everyone disappeared)? Or?

Is the rest of the world duplicated? Or are the two 'Red' and 'Blue' worlds otherwise uninhabited?

[NomadicSky]

I'ma go edit that.

[Neroon]

Too tired for a full reply, but got two observations:

1. Whichever one gets most of the states where OTL US drilled up most of the oil already restored to "its like they've never been there" has an advantage over the other world.

2. On both worlds whichever party is now dominant will split within a few years as there is virtually no more common enemy to hold them together.
Democrats into one party akin to European Social Democrats and one akin to European Greens.
Republicans into one Libertian and Isolationist and one Social Conservative and NeoCon.

[NomadicSky]

World 1 has more oil as Texas and Alaska are restored to their pristine conditions.

I didn't think about the religious implications from this...or even possibly racial implications. These factors could cause some issues.

All that empty land in both worlds...someone might try expanding into empty US territory.

Then I'm in world A...I wonder where we'd put our capitol DC went with world 1. Atlanta?

In both worlds climate issues all that virgin land will suck carbon-dioxide right out of the atmosphere... ending global warming...leading to global cooling. And the economic issues from this. Not to mention Republicans trapped in world 1, Democrats in world A.

[stevep]

Originally Posted by NomadicSky

World 1 has more oil as Texas and Alaska are restored to their pristine conditions.

Agreed. As well as parts of Louisiana and Oklahoma.

I didn't think about the religious implications from this...or even possibly racial implications. These factors could cause some issues.

Religious implications are going to be huge, probably especially in world A. Also going to be dramatic social ones as a hell of a lot of shock for people all over the world that half the US has suddenly disappeared.

All that empty land in both worlds...someone might try expanding into empty US territory.

I could see some Mexican immigration into the empty lands but I can't really see any formal land grab. Both US's will still be highly territorial, nuclear armed and very nervous, which makes any such move highly dangerous. Putin might make a claim for the 'restoration' of Alaska in world 1 but I suspect that would be for show rather than any serious bid.

Then I'm in world A...I wonder where we'd put our capitol DC went with world 1. Atlanta?

Would Texas make a bid? Its the most populous state I think in world A, reasonably central east-west and has the biggest economy. Or you could quickly reclaim DC. [Alternatively change the conditions so that DC gets duplicated like the territories].

In both worlds climate issues all that virgin land will suck carbon-dioxide right out of the atmosphere... ending global warming...leading to global cooling. And the economic issues from this. Not to mention Republicans trapped in world 1, Democrats in world A.

I don't know about the virgin land sucking up CO2. More likely cutting down forests/pumping out restored oil is likely to make matters worse. Also with China going full blast a lack of CO2 isn't going to be a problem.

Although the world economy is going to take another couple of big hits. Both because a sizeable market has gone in both cases and because there will be even greater doubts about either US being able to repay their debts. Not to mention with widespread panic about what's happened you could see a lot of people in Armageddon mode and hence hunkering down and waiting for the end, further hitting consumption and trade.

With US troops overseas being split but left in place there is going to be a hell of a lot of chaos in Afghanistan as each world loses about half their forces. [Rough guess, I think world A has more US population but possibly world 1 provides proportionally more troops to the army?].

More generally internationally, while the US is still a great power its probably now more on the lines of Russia in terms of forces, population and military resources in both cases. A still has the subs and B the silos in N Dakota and there are bombers scattered about so can't see anyone challenge them directly but might see more Chinese pressure on Taiwan or N Korea sabre rattling for instance. Also with the disruption of losing half the country and break-downs in intelligence organisations, electronic communications etc you might see a spat of terrorist activity, seeking to take advantage of the confusion.

Steve

[NomadicSky]

No DC in World A...I'm more intrigued by the idea of a new capitol... Moving the capitol to Texas as the most populace state. I always thought San Antonio would make a nice capitol city. I could never understand why Texas has theirs in Austin. I think that's where it need to go.

Resettling that land will take a while. World 1 has more people, world A has more people who are going to be interested in "free land". Its possible world A might try to attract people from Canada to settle New England, the Midwest.

I don't see traditional states forming again...breaking the unsettled land into territories. In say world A grant West Virginia the empty land of what used to be Virginia...reunite the state...oddly.

South Carolina the empty area of North Carolina...

Doing the opposite in world A.

I guess by default John McCain becomes president of world A.

By now Ron Paul would be leading the rising Libertarian party, that would be rising as the main opposition.

[Corbell Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Neroon

Too tired for a full reply, but got two observations:

1. Whichever one gets most of the states where OTL US drilled up most of the oil already restored to "its like they've never been there" has an advantage over the other world.

2. On both worlds whichever party is now dominant will split within a few years as there is virtually no more common enemy to hold them together.
Democrats into one party akin to European Social Democrats and one akin to European Greens.
Republicans into one Libertian and Isolationist and one Social Conservative and NeoCon.

Damn the rest of my state.

[NomadicSky]

I'm thinking in both worlds some formally large inhabited places will be turned into parks...off limits for people ever. Or a while.

World A...

Hawaii. At least some islands.

Redwood areas of California.

Various new national reserves set up along the great lakes.

Wetlands areas of Florida.

Originally Posted by Corbell Mark IV

Damn the rest of my state.

Which world are you in?

[NomadicSky]

Something I'm toying with...turning this into a timeline.


Today was quite the historic day for the United States a sense of calm and normalcy had finally come to the nation following the events which have in hind site have lead many to find the Lord.

While others claim it was the world of beings beyond our world with a sense of humor whatever it was it didn't matter...what happened changed the world. The once mighty and proud United States still stood mighty and proud but greatly reduced loosing more than half its population to what the world simply called "the event".

Austin, CD (Capitol District) July 4, 2012

President John McCain sat in the what looked very much like the old oval office in the new white house, formally the Texas governors mansion. This was a historic day, the restorations to the building which had been severely damaged by arson June 8, 2008. Ironically the damaged building made turning the former Texas State governors mansion into the new presidential mansion. Today he was set to address the nation but for now he was thinking about November. Sure he was going to win, how could he not...he'd lead the nation through a crisis worse than either world war... The Libertarian Party was gaining strength however in this new world the Democratic party following the 2010 congressional elections had been reduced to third party status. Ron Paul a man whom personally John McCain despised had rejoined his former political party, a party with plans to challenge McCain this November.

There wasn't much time to think about it however he had a nation to address no matter what happened this was still independence day and this was still the greatest country on earth. At least in his mind, and he was proud.

[NomadicSky]

Fly Over States.

World A.

Supposing the United States was reduced considerably in what could only be described as an act of God. More than half of the US population vanished. Leaving a greatly reduced country about 1/3 of the population it had before. The president elect was among the vanished, the country’s largest cities had vanished. Texas now dominated in terms of population, leaving a populace in shock. President George Bush was however in this shaken world. He awoke in Texas, and insisted upon democratic transfer. However given the chaos which had overtaken the land the inauguration date was moved back set with its original date (March 4). A provisional government convened in Austin the next week.

Over the following months more of the federal government would move into this city it gradually became the nations capitol city.

The city eventually became the nations defecto capitol. When it went from defecto to official status there was some murmuring of discontent. The US however granted Texas the land to its west from the former New Mexico next door it was granted everything on the western shore of the Rio Grande giving the state the former Republic of Texas borders to settle in exchange, Arizona would also be expanded by way of being able to annex the eastern half. The Texan government was them moved to San Antonio with the United States aiding in funds to build a new state capitol building. (see because even in a crisis the government moves slowly and inefficiently what can only be described as bureaucratic. I mean…in a crisis we see a nation debating THIS. ).

The nation adjusted to being smaller but not everyone was happy. Texas congressman Ron Paul would become an increasingly outspoken critic of the new government. Paul runs as an independent in 2012…and wins. There is that much support of his ideals in the minds of the young in the state and the middle age. With his ‘Common Sense policy” MSNBC now based out of Atlanta criticized him as insensitive, but applauded his criticism of the current administration.

Ron Paul’s supporters would become known as Paulist which eventually forms the basis of a new opposition party Paul would largely fight with Republicans in the first two years of his administration. But would have some level of success in dragging the United States out of its current economic recession which had been caused by half of the country vanishing. Paul's position of leadership in government would bring forth great diplomatic changes and shifts in the worlds view of the country. When in 2014 Paulist would gain control of both houses of congress. Leading the nation in quite a different direction, marijuana is legalized, Israel is told it can stand alone. Funding to NATO slashed, the UN involvement strained, bases worldwide were closed. The US votes to open relations with Palestine; this is met with opposition by the public fearing the wrath of God for not supporting the Jews. Critics write papers. Ron Paul does however still captivate the youth vote. Who are the most vocal supporters of his administration MSNBC supports him, Fox News doesn’t. Both stations are based out Atlanta. Which is quickly becoming the countries most liberal city. Northern Georgia is becoming a hotbed of liberalism as former democrats begin to concentrate on the area. The party may have been reduced to third party status nationally but maintain control of Northern Georgia enough to ensure Atlanta a Democratic controlled city council and mayor as well as a foothold in the state legislature. Within a decade Georgia would become the most liberal democratic state in the union a holdout to a political party that when the event happened lost most of their supporters during the event. Within forty years Georgia would become what California had been to the vanished lands.

Georgia would send Democrats to congress for the next two decades. Occasionally democrats would win in other states as well, Arkansas, and even Tennessee.

Resettlement often became an issue of contention as well these lands outside of the populated areas were virgin and as such they were deemed considerably valuable to the field of ecology. Some of the larger Hawaiian Islands were deemed off limits to human settlement. Accidental contact would still occur when a cruse ship wrecked off the island of Oahu. Four hundred twenty three people and their pets were stranded they established contract but not before their pets which were on the ship managed to escape as did several rodents, insects, spiders, and even snakes. These animals quickly overtook the islands few bird species utterly devastating the ecology as the island was ravaged by invasive species. Including invasive plants some had seeds blown from the wind, others were from plans onboard the ship.

The landscape on the continent was home to some amazing creatures the coastlines ripe with fish. There were some creatures which defied explanation, a large hominid ape like man was scattered through the west coast. These creatures lived at a stone age level were covered in hair, and around 7 feet tall as well as being quite strong. They were described by some as furry Neandertols.

These beings were fierce and territorial, they terrified any of those who ventured into their lands.,, and even expanded into unguarded cities along the border…there was quite a terrifying incident in Mexico as the males of this species will…have their way with human females. These sometimes result in hybrid children, though giving birth to one of these monsters usually results in the death of the human mother. Offspring if they did were unable to reproduce human speech though they seemed able to understand it and were largely sterile they were noted for a catlike cry as infants. Some believe these creatures are a subspecies of Man.

There are also great beast large catlike lions, sabertooths, dire wolves, fury rhinoceroses, mastodons.

Great foxes and large praetor squirrels lived in the eastern areas these areas were devoid of any of the monster men or demons as they had become known. They had a large moose like creature, fierce predatory birds.

The rivers were home to a paraná like species that seemed to have evolved from catfish. These would rip any man or beast that fell into their waters apart. These creatures found their way into the waterway systems of America. As did two species of fresh water shrimp, freshwater eels (these would later become a delicacy in Japan), fresh water octopus, squid (ditto about Japan), even sponges. These would also overtake the waterways of America as would a species of strange dolphin like reptiles with razor sharp teeth and a species of constrictor snake.

A small new world primate would also inhabit the eastern area. These primates with claws actually seemed to have evolved from the modern housecat. These animals were mostly described as the cat version of splice.

Now there was a select group of brave men and women who dared venture into this wilderness. The area was divided into territories and suddenly there was free land again The US was now opening up homesteads.

This new land seemed to come from a parallel universe one where humanity had gone extinct long ago. Perhaps it was during the Torah extinction.

Stocks of minerals rare and valuable were restocked oil companies began to speculate in the upper Appalachian Mountains stocks of oil in the former Pennsylvania, New York area. The British Petroleum Company came up with a plan. One that would take advantage of Paul’s “New Agreement” which was basically rampant unchecked capitalism, Paulist were quick to point out that business was booming…click click boom.

Now during this the Texans moved their capital to San Antonio into a newly constructed building. This building featured a mural in marble depicting a Texan lone star shining above a two downward pointing smith’nwession depiction of the battle of the Alamo. The style of the building was neoclassical it more or less resembled the former Supreme Court Building which used to be in the site of the nations former capitol which vanished on the day of the disappearance. It was entirely constructed from local materials.

New Flag.

The issue of changing the flag to match the number of states we actually had rather than the fifty on the flag came up. A decision was finally reached the flag would be changed but not as one would expect. The flag was changed to a fourteen star flag. Thirteen stars arranged in a circle for the original thirteen states.

In the middle of the flag a large single lone star surrounded by the thirteen, this large fourteen star stood for unity.

This simplified flag would never need to be changed no matter how many states were added to the union.

Ironically this central star would become known as the Unity Star it would become a national symbol the lone star flag would become the new naval jack. As well as adorning the inside of the national capital building. Although actually these stars on the building stood for a time when Austin was a state’s capital rather than a national one…but this act actually saved a little money. As the capital needed some tiles and fixtures with the name Texas to read United States, as also some murals would need to be replaced. Many of these fixtures and murals would be carefully removed and sent to San Antonio to the new Texan state house.