The Cursed American Presidency

Chapter VII: The Peanut Farmer's personal diplomacy efforts
    • June 30th, 1977: VP Carter meets with Pinochet
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    US Vice President Jimmy Carter greeted Chilean President General Augusto Pinochet at the Number One Observatory Circle (Residence of the US VP) in Washington, DC for a bilateral meeting.

    The meeting comes as tensions between Argentina & Chile continue to escalate with political & militarily rhetoric on both sides. Pinochet, who voiced strong attacks at the human rights campaign of the Brown administration in recent months due to threats of cutting off US military & economic aid because of what the Brown administration voiced egregious human rights violations against political opponents, critics & others who spoke out against the Pinochet dictatorship.

    However, Pinochet & Carter held a closed door meeting with their respective interpreters which lasted for more than 3 HRS during the bilateral meeting. Of course, President     Jerry Brown was on his fourth overseas trip (more on that later in Chapter VII) & Carter would be the one doing the skilfull personal diplomacy efforts instead.

    US Secretary of State     Walter Mondale & US Secretary of Defense Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., both met with Pinochet respectively in separate meetings. Pinochet personally thanked Davis & the US Defense Department for approving the request of military aid to Chile in light of the ugly diplomatic tensions with Argentina.
     
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    • Chapter VII: National & International Segments (Summer 1977: Part III)
    • July 1st, 1977:
    BREAKING NEWS: President Jerry Brown, First Lady Linda Ronstadt confirm wedding plans, details to be revealed soon

    While in the middle of his State Visit to Denmark, President Jerry Brown & First Lady Linda Ronstadt both confirmed during a one-on-one interview with Walter Cronkite of CBS News that they'll be getting married sometime this fall in a special ceremony at the White House.

    Apparently Brown & Ronstadt made the decision back in the Summer of 1975 during Brown's tenure as CA Governor but couldn't go further. This doesn't come as a surprise to people who know both the President & First Lady.

    To all of the young ladies out there, you're just out of luck!
     
    • Chapter VII: National & International Segments (Summer 1977: Part IV)
    • July 4th, 1977: America celebrates their 201st birthday!
    The United States is celebrating their 201st anniversary of Independence. Celebrations took place in Philadelphia, PA; Boston, MA; Washington, DC & other parts of the country.

    Vice President Jimmy Carter laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA & delivered remarks to hundreds of military veterans & their families in attendance.

    July 7th, 1977: Kissinger undermining Brown administration's foreign policy agenda
    Former US Secretary of State     Henry Kissinger ,who hasn't been heard from since leaving office on January 20th. The influential but controversial diplomat, has been criticized by many inside the Brown administration for undermining the foreign policy agenda & human rights campaign initiatives of President Brown, who has voiced strong disapproval of several US-backed military coups including the heinous revelations of the Nixon, Ford & Rockefeller administrations of sponsoring illegal covert operations by military regimes in Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, etc., by murdering political opponents, critics, journalists, celebrities as well as professional athletes.

    Kissinger has been serving as special advisor to controversial dictators such as Mexican President General Oscar Robles, Bolivian President General Hugo Banzer, Chilean President General Augusto Pinochet to name a few by encouraging them to "exterminate all political opposition as soon as possible before the incoming administration starts nagging about human rights" according to one anonymous news report.

    Reports circulated that during the transition, Kissinger intentionally ordered his subordinates to destroy all evidence connecting the Ford & Rockefeller administrations to sponsoring the Mexican Military Junta government's controversial Dirty War campaign, which has resulted in the deaths of over 25,000+ people; 57,000 exiled; 3.3 million disappeared. Allegations suggest Kissinger also blocked the incoming Brown administration from receiving intelligence reports & briefings during the transition period.
     
    • Chapter VII: National & International Segments (Summer 1977: Part V)
    • July 13th, 1977: Explosions taking place at the Panama Canal; 56 American military servicemen killed

    Americans woke up to the shocking news coming out of Panama as news reports confirmed that 56 American military servicemen were ambushed & killed by mysterious paramilitary forces, who attacked the Panama Canal Zone during the late night hours of July 12th.

    Details are slowly coming in.....

    ABC NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: President Brown addresses the nation on the violent bloodbath at Panama Canal Zone
    In the midday HRS of July 13th, President Jerry Brown addressed the nation from the Oval Office of the White House. He addressed the violence at the Panama Canal Zone including sending his condolences to the families of the 56 US military servicemen killed in the violent ambush: "Let the world know that whoever the culprit or culprits are, you will NEVER hide because the full weight of the United States of America will hunt you down and bring those responsible to justice!"

    Critics such as United States Senator     Jesse Helms (R-NC) blasted the President's foreign policy agenda including the botched rollout of ratifying the Panama Canal Treaty. "The Panama Canal belongs to the United States of America. We own it and we deserve to keep the Canal forever! The weak-kneed appeasement in this administration has revealed once again weakness on the international stage, the American people will no longer tolerate such weakness and with the midterms coming up next year, the people will voice their opposition to this administration by voting them out immediately."

    BREAKING NEWS: Negotiations between US & Panama permanently stalled due to violent bloodnath at Canal Zone
    US Ambassador to the United Nations     Andrew Young confirmed that the stalled negotiations between the American & Panamanian governments over transferring the Panama Canal Zone to Panama has been permanently stalled, effectively killing any chance of diplomatic solutions to resolving the issue anytime soon.

    "It's very unfortunate that with what had transpired today, we cannot in good conscience continue diplomatic peaceful negotiations with the Panamanian government until further notice," Young said during a rushed press briefing at the UN General Assembly in NYC, NY St.

    July 23rd, 1977:
    CBS SPECIAL REPORT
    BREAKING NEWS: Explosive news leaks confirmed collaboration between Cuban & Panamanian governments in the violent ambush of the Panama Canal Zone

    Walter Cronkite:     "Good afternoon everyone. This is Walter Cronkitw from the CBS News Headquarters in New York City and we interupt your regularly scheduled programming to report on explosive bombshell allegations. I want to keep in mind that this is an unconfirmed report from a news agency out of France, but the report states collaboration between the Cuban and Panamanian governments in coordinating with the violent ambush of the Panama Canal Zone on July 12th, which resulted in the deaths of 56 American military servicemembers.

    We're also getting new information coming in (listening to ear piece via production staff) that Cuban paramilitary forces were the ones involved in using deadly explosives, grenades, machine guns and other weapons in this violent ambush.

    Leslie Stahl is live at the US State Department with more details. Leslie, what can you tell us on these explosive bombshell allegations against the Panamanian government?"

    July 25th, 1977: Stock Market crashes in light of aftermath of Panama Canal Zone deadly attack
    The US Department of the Treasury announced they've enforced sanctions against Panamanian dictator Omar Torrijos, members of the Torrijos family including senior Panamanian government officials in light of the deadly violent attack on the Panama Canal Zone.

    Reports are circulating the UN General Assembly is holding an emergency meeting to determine the next steps on whether to apply sanctions against Panama.

    BREAKING NEWS:
    July 29th, 1977: Torrijos & his family flees the country due to open revolt against his regime.
    The international backlash against Panama had been growing at a faster rate & with President Brown ordering 37,000 US military personnel troops into the streets of Panama by virtually full control of the country. Controversial & flamboyant Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos, who took power in a military coup d'etat in 1968, had resisted severe economic & diplomatic moves in attempts to force him to take responsibility for the attack of the Canal Zone & step down from power, reportedly took his family in helicopters & fled Panama City in the overnight HRS of July 29th.

    Brown also ordered a surprise night-time airlift of additional American military personnel troops to taking control of the Capitol City as well. Reports circulating Torrijos has fled to Cuba at the request of Cuban President Fidel Castro in order to avoid extradition to face war crimes.
     
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    • Chapter VII: National & International Segments (Summer 1977: Part VI)
    • July 13th, 1977: British labour unions end voluntary wage restraints
    The ruling Labour Party in Great Britain was told by labour leaders that the "Social Contract" voluntarily agreed to by workers in 1975 to help stem inflation, was no longer acceptable. In response, British Prime Minister James Callaghan reportedly told union representatives that the government was still determined to limiting wage increases to 10% during the next 12 months to protect Britain's uncertain economy & preventing another upsurge of inflation.

    July 14th, 1977: Former CA Governor Ronald Reagan (R) considering political comeback; not ruling out future presidential campaign
    Former CA Governor Ronald Reagan (R) hadn't been seen or heard from since the ugly bombshells destroyed his 1976 campaign for the GOP presidential nomination against then-Vice President Edward Brooke (R) ,has been keeping an extremely low profile in over an entire year secluded in his Bel Air residence. Reagan finally emerged from seclusion, doing a closed-door private interview with a small town newspaper from Bakersfield: Reagan was strongly critical against what he referred to as "incompetent foreign policy decisions" of President Jerry Brown & mentioned a potential political comeback in the future, "As they always say. Never say never on any possible political comeback going forward."

    July 15th, 1977: Brown approves admission of Indochina refugees
    Acceding to requests from the US State Department, President Brown approved the admission to the US of some 15,000 Laotian, Cambodian, Vietnamese refugees, about half of whom were living on boats because they were denied entry to other countries. Australia, Canada & New Zealand announced they will be taking some refugees.

    July 17th, 1977: ROK frees 14 government opponents
    In an apparent gesture of goodwill to President Brown including efforts of repairing strained diplomatic relations between Washington, DC & Seoul, Korean President Park Chung-hee released 14 of an unprecedented 260 of his political opponents under detention in government prisons. More which came on the 29th anniversary of the country's first Republican Constitution. Among those freed were four Christian clergymen arrested in 1976 on charges of plotting to overthrow the government. President Park cited the repentance & good behaviour of the 14 & indicated that other prisoners who behaved as well would be released.
     
    • Chapter VII: National & International Segments (Summer 1977: Part VII)
    • July 17th, 1977: Anti-inflation steps implemented in Israel
    Newly-formed government in Israel acted quickly to check the country's soaring inflation rate with the announcement of major austerity policy, to include an unprecedented cut in government spending. Immediate rise in the price of most basic goods & services was expected.
     
    • Chapter VII: National & International Segments (Summer 1977: Part VIII)
    • July 20th, 1977: CIA experiments in behavior control exposed
    According to the US Central Intelligence Agency documents obtained for public usage under the 1966 Freedom of Information Act, the CIA conducted secret medical experiments from 1949 through the mid 1960s developing methods of controlling human behaviour through the use of chemical, biological & radiological agents.

    July 21st, 1977: Thailand & Cambodia engage in major border clash
    Battle between heavily armed Cambodian & Thai troops, in which 17 Thai soldiers & estimated 50 Cambodians were killed, erupted along the Thai-Cambodian frontier in the vicinity of Aranyaprathet, the main regional Thai town. The clash which involved Thai troops & air support, was described in the Royal Thai Armed Forces' military command as sharp escalation of the border skirmishes that had been almost daily occurrences since the communist takeover of Cambodia in 1975.

    July 22nd, 1977:
    BREAKING NEWS: Brazil terminates military treaty with the US; Sources hint Geisel was triggered by the US State Department report blasting military dictatorship's egregious human rights violations

    Brazil cancelled the 25-year military assistance treaty with the United States because of a report from the US State Department criticizing the government of Brazilian President Ernesto Geisel over the country's human rights practices.

    The Brazilian Foreign Ministry blasted the report which they viewed, constituted an intolerable interference in Brazilian affairs. Brazil also turned down more than $50 million in military aid credits that the Brown administration originally planned on seeking from Congress. The response won widespread approval from overwhelming majority of Brazilians, including members of the opposition Brazilian Democracy Movement Party, who agreed that human rights was an issue to be resolved internally.

    Under the 1952 agreement, the United States extended credits & cash for the purchase of American military equipment & provided other assistance including training which had been taking place under previous US presidential administrations beginning with Harry S. Truman.

    Brazil had been less dependent on US aid in recent years as the large South American country had been building its own arms industry. General Moacir Barcelos Potyguara, Chief of Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces, said the rejection of US aid would cause no problems.

    Guy Branodo, spokesman for the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, said the cancellation didn't mean that Brazil was no longer an ally of the United States according to a UPI report. "It doesn't change anything," Branodo said. "It simply ends an assistance agreement. Nothing more than that."

    July 23rd, 1977: Domestic Policy initiatives of the Brown administration getting stuck in congressional gridlock
    The Health Care Reform Act of 1977, which easily passed the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly back on May 16th, has been stuck in legislative gridlock over in the United States Senate due to staunch opposition from United States Senator     Jesse Helms (R-NC) ,who proudly called himself "The Number One Antagonist" of the Brown administration's legislative agenda.

    US Secretary of Health, Education & Welfare     Joseph Califano blasted Helms & other opponents of the Health Care Reform Act, accusing them of choosing lobbyists over the American people.

    Gallup Polling Survey (July 24th, 1977)
    Opinion of President     Jerry Brown (D)
    Approve: 21%
    Disapprove: 62%
    Undecided: 12%
     
    • Chapter VII: President Brown's international trips in office (Part I)
    • May 5th-11th, 1977: President Brown, First Lady Ronstadt visit United Kingdom, first international trip of his Presidency
    President Jerry Brown accompanied by First Lady Linda Ronstadt boarded Air Force One & began the first international trip of his presidency. The President visited United Kingdom, where he attended the 3rd G-7 Summit (more on that soon); but first, the Presidential motorcade arrived at Buckingham Palace, where he was greeted by Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh for a courtesy call bilateral meeting.

    May 7th-8th, 1977: G-7 Summit held in London
    The venue for the 3rd G-7 Summit meetings took place at 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister. This was the first international summit for President Brown along with Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti & Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda. Among those in attendance included: British Prime Minister James Callaghan (the host of the summit; Callaghan also served as European Community Council President), Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, European Community Commission President Roy Jenkins.
    Among the accomplishments of the summit was the Downing Street Summit Declaration.

    May 9th, 1977: President Brown meets with Assad, Furgler in Switzerland
    President Brown's next international trip took place in Geneva, Switzerland, where he met with Swiss President Kurt Furgler & Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. The meeting between Assad & Brown was a critical highpoint in the trip as the Brown administration's foreign policy initiatives included working on building diplomatic relationships between Washington & Damascus, therefore continuing the policy of diplomatic engagement that began under then-President     Richard Nixon.
     
    • Chapter VII: President Brown's international trips in office (Part II)
    • June 6th-11th, 1977: President Brown visits Canada
    President Brown visited neighboring Canada in the third international trip of his Presidency, meeting with flamboyant Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. The leaders met at the Prime Minister's official residence in Ottawa & held a series of bilateral meeting discussions ranging from diplomatic, economic & foreign policy agenda items.

    In the evening HRS of June 6th, there was a State Dinner held where Brown & Trudeau delivered remarks on US-Canadian relations throughout the years; ongoing international challenges facing the neighboring countries & paths of moving the USCAN Alliance forward into the future.

    On June 7th, Brown delivered a speech before Joint Session of the Canadian House of Commons, which was televised across Canada on CTV.

    June 13th, 1977:
    BREAKING NEWS: UNITED STATES SENATOR HUBERT H. HUMPHREY (D-MN) COLLAPSES IN SENATE OFFICE
    Stunning news from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, United States Senator & former VP Hubert H. Humphrey (D-MN) collapsed inside his Senate office while working on healthcare reform legislation. Reports state the Senator had walked inside his office looking very exhausted & tired.

    One of the Senator's staff members tried to give Humphrey water, he turned it down saying he was fine but suddenly felt wobbly before collapsing on the floor in front of horrified & shocked office employees. Immediately, Humphrey was transported to a hospital in Minneapolis for medical treatment but no other details had been known.

    June 25th-July 1st, 1977: President Brown, First Lady Ronstadt visit Belgium; Italy; Vatican
    President Brown & First Lady Ronstadt went on a stopover visit to Belgium where they met with King Baudoiun & Queen Fabiola at the Royal Palace in Brussels. They spent a few days with the King & Queen. From June 29th-July 1st, President Brown & First Lady Ronstadt went to Italy, where Brown met with Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti & addressed a Joint Session of Parliament; Brown & Ronstadt both met with Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in Vatican City.
     
    • Chapter VII: National & International Segments (Fall 1977: Part I)
    • August 27th, 1977: Philippines releases 500 prisoners
    Military authorities announced the release of 500 prisoners, all imprisoned since the imposition of Martial Law on September 23rd, 1972. Though most were ordinary criminals, 89 had been accused of sedition. Of the 4,700 martial law prisoners reported to be under detention prisons, more than 1,500 had been released.

    August 31st, 1977: Gallup Polling Survey
    Job Approval for President Jerry Brown (D)
    Approve: 39%
    Disapprove: 56%
    Undecided: 3%
     
    • Chapter VII: Fernanda's Secret Life (Personal PoV's): Part I
    • THE FOLLOWING SEGMENT WILL BE QUITE NSFW-EROTIC. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED!

    Personal PoV's: Fernanda's Secret Life (Part I)
    August 31st, 1977
    Somewhere in Greece

    Somewhere in the midst of her long international goodwill tour, Mexican First Lady Fernanda Arizmendi was also living a secret life as well from people. Critics, who weren't thrilled of either her or her flamboyant husband, who came to power in a military coup on February 21st, 1973, accused Fernanda of using the goodwill tour of lining both her & her husband's pockets as well as extracting bribes from foreign government officials in exchange for influential diplomatic measures or running her good racket scheme. None of these allegations fazed Fernanda, who chose to ignore them. In fact, Fernanda during her trip in Greece, had lost interest in one of the boring opera plays at one of the main theaters in Athens when she collapsed while sneaking out of her theater private box, when her cousin, Monica Paolla & her husband, Jefferson Saldana (who was one of the close special advisers to the Mexican First Lady) noticed that Fernanda had collapsed. "Let's get you out of here, I'll explain to one of the Greek dignitaries that you had suffered from exhaustion".

    Fernanda was shaking, sweating & aching in extreme pain, Monica tried to reassure her cousin, "It'll be alright. Let's take you back through a private entrance to the hotel..." Fernanda interrupted "Take me somewhere in a heavily secluded area where nobody knows where I am, please." Monica obliged & drove all the way to a heavily secluded area in small beach town in Southern Greece, where Monica helped Fernanda out of the vehicle. It was 9:00 PM in the evening & Fernanda was sweating profusely, they walked inside the private cabin, where after walking into the bedroom: Fernanda felt water splashing between her legs, she was pregnant (as the result of one of her secret sex escapades: more on that later in the Personal PoV of Fernanda's Secret Life).

    After taking off Fernanda's clothes from head to toe, Monica helped place her cousin on the bed, spread her legs open & began to help midwife (Fernanda was naked & barefoot). "Ok, Just realx, breathe and remain calm. We're going to get through this" Fernanda began to scream in agonizing pain for like HRS all night as she pushed, pushed & pushed; Monica happily was excited "I see the baby coming, it's coming" as Fernanda continued to push while her cousin carefully took the baby out, "It's a girl" as the baby was crying. She then cut the umbilical cord including cleaning up the baby before handing the baby girl to Fernanda, who cried in excitement & kissed the baby naming her daughter, Olivia Arizmendi. Fernanda would remain hidden in this secret secluded private cabin for several more weeks before coming out of seclusion & driving back to one of the residences in the suburbs of Athens, staying there for the remainder of her time in Greece.
     
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    • Chapter VII: Wedding of the Year
    • September 16th, 1977: President Brown becomes the first US President to get married in office in decades
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    The East Room of the White House, where the public wedding ceremony took place.

    The last time a sitting President married during his tenure was the controversial Woodrow Wilson back in 1915. Fast forward to 62 years later, President Jerry Brown & First Lady Linda Ronstadt, now officially known as Linda Ronstadt Brown, married in a private ceremony on the grounds of Casa de los Gobernadores in Carmichael, CA: hosted by CA Governor Mervyn M. Dymally (D), who was one of 173 guests in attendance at private wedding ceremony including the President's father, former CA Governor Pat Brown (D), White House Chief of Staff Gray Davis, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley (D), & US Deputy Labor Secretary Cesar Chavez in attendance. Handful of photographs were published by a private photographer; official press corps of reporters were not allowed to attend & the Secret Service aggressively shielded the event from the public eye.

    On September 19th, the President & First Lady returned to Washington,DC, where the public wedding ceremony took place inside the East Room of the White House. It was considered "The Wedding of the Year", with the White House Press Corps in attendance including several foreign diplomats as well as a group of bipartisan members of Congress attending the grand public wedding such as United States Senators     L. Douglas Wilder (D-VA); Alan Cranston (D-CA); Daniel Inoyue (D-HI); Howard Baker (R-TN); Charles Mathias (R-MD); Charles Percy (R-IL) including former Vice President Edward Brooke & former President Nelson Rockefeller (who currently is serving as US Ambassador to Spain). Highlights of the event included the First Lady giving a private concert later that evening on the White House Grounds in a heavily-guarded white tent.

    Following the wedding festivities, the President & First Lady boarded Marine One, which took them to Andrews AFB; they soon boarded Air Force One & flew to their honeymoon in American Samoa.
     
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    • Chapter VII: International Segments (Fall 1977: Part II)
    • September 13th, 1977: Mexican First Lady Fernanda Arizmendi returns home to Mexico after 6 month goodwill tour of countries
    Following a long six-month goodwill international tour of countries in Africa, the Middle East & parts of Europe, Mexican First Lady Fernanda Arizmendi returned home to Mexico, calling the trip a success with lots of achievements along the way.

    Upon arriving at the airport in Mexico City, Arizmendi was greeted by her husband, Mexican President General Oscar Robles & members of her family; soon afterwards, Robles & Arizmendi got inside the presidential limousine & drove back to Los Pinos (Residence of the Mexican President), where Arizmendi enjoyed a much awaited rest & relaxation period.

    September 25th, 1977: Diplomacy efforts to avoid potential civil war between Argentina & Chile ?
    With the uncertainty of the ongoing dispute over the Picton, Lennox & Nueva Islands, there is potential diplomatic solution in an attempt at resolving the crisis according to UPI.

    The war of words between the Argentinian & Chilean governments have gone from typical rhetoric to escalating political & militarily rhetoric as a result of controversial military exercises from Argentinian military personnel troops along the border with Chile. Argentine President Isabel Peron has called on Chilean President General Augusto Pinochet to abandon his demands of the three islands & stand down, while Pinochet has been consistent in pursuing the matter in court.
     
    • Chapter VII: National Segments (Fall 1977: Part I)
    • September 30th, 1977
    BREAKING NEWS: EXPLOSIVE BOMBSHELLS ENGULFING OMB DIRECTOR BERT LANCE

    ABC News broke into regularly scheduled programming to report on explosive bombshell allegations against OMB Director Bert Lance, who is facing calls to resign in light of new allegations against him.

    In mid-August, US Comptroller of the Currency John G. Heimann issued a full-scale report which had presumably cleared the embattled OMB Director of wrongdoing. However, three weeks after issuing the report, Heimann testified before the Senate Government Affairs Committee, where he accused Lance of abusing his position as a bank president by writing large overdrafts on his personal checking account.

    On September 16th, United States Senators Abraham A. Ribicoff (D-CT) & Charles Percy (R-IL) ,the chairman & vice chairman of the committee investigating Lance, went to the White House (likely during the wedding of President Brown) & asked for Lance's resignation as OMB Director, saying they received new evidence of illegalities. It is alleged that Vice President Carter, who attended the wedding festivities, strongly told Ribicoff & Percy that the allegations against Lance was politically-motivated.

    Lance once again, refused to resign, demanding a public hearing of the allegations against him. Brown & Carter both continued to back him, even though more & more leading Dems were calling for Lance's resignation as OMB Director.

    October 5th, 1977: CHICAGO TRIBUNE, OTHER NEWSPAPERS EXPOSING WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY JODY POWELL TRIED TO GET THEM TO DEFAMING NEWS STORIES ATTACKING SENATOR PERCY'S PERSONAL LIFE
    In another embarrassing episode for the Brown administration, several newspaper publications in Chicago, IL revealed that White House Press Secretary Jody Powell had unsuccessfully tried getting them to run defaming, insulting news stories attacking the character & personal life of United States Senator     Charles Percy (R-IL) in retaliation for charges that Percy made against Lance. Upon the backlash, Powell apologised to Percy, admitting his actions had been "inappropriate, regrettable, and dumb."

    BREAKING NEWS: LANCE TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE SENATE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ON OCTOBER 15TH-17TH
    Embattled OMB Director Bert Lance announced he will be appearing before the Senate Government Affairs Committee & will be testifying in a televised committee hearing set for October 15th-17th.

    Gallup Polling Survey (October 5th, 1977)
    Opinion of President     Jerry Brown (D):
    Approve: 40%
    Disapprove: 57%

    Opinion of First Lady Linda Ronstadt Brown (D):
    Approve: 68%
    Disapprove: 16%

    Opinion of Vice President Jimmy Carter (D):
    Approve: 43%
    Disapprove: 54%

    Opinion of Second Lady Rosalyn Carter (D):
    Approve: 61%
    Disapprove: 25%
     
    • Chapter VII: International Segments (Fall 1977: Part III)
    • October 5th, 1977: Mexican President General Oscar Robles hosts Argentina-Chile Summit in Merida, Yucatan.
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    Chilean President General Augusto Pinochet dining with Argentine President Isabel Peron during State Banquet hosted by Mexican President General Oscar Robles.

    In a bid to breaking the ongoing diplomatic deadlock, Mexican President General Oscar Robles personally invited both Chilean President General Augusto Pinochet & Argentine President Isabel Peron to join him at the secluded Presidential retreat, Casa de Los Presidencial in the outskirts of Merida, Yucatan. Sealed off from the rest of the globe by walls of secrecy for more than sixteen days, the three leaders bargained with each other while the rest of Latin America anxiously awaited the outcome of the hyped-up Argentine-Chilean Summit.

    On October 21st, the three leaders emerged from seclusion at Casa de Los Presidencial, where Pinochet & Peron agreed to increase diplomatic negotiation talks between the two South American countries & raising hopes for improving Argentinian-Chilean relations.

    Second summit is set for sometime in the Spring of 1978 (more on that later in the TL 😎)

    October 25th, 1977: Brewing mass demonstrations escalating in Iran: Another foreign policy crisis for the Brown administration?
    The signs of ugly revolt in the Middle East caught some glimpses in Iran, where a number of riots, demonstrations & strikes had been directed against the regime of Iranian Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. Since the 1953 CIA-backed coup, which resulted in the Shah regaining his throne, the Shah had been a very important ally of the United States: enjoying support from previous US administrations beginning with Dwight Eisenhower (1953-1961), John F. Kennedy (1961-1963), Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969), Richard Nixon (1969-1974), Gerald Ford (1974-1975) & Nelson Rockefeller (1975-1977) purchasing billions of dollars worth of American arms & supplying much of the nation's oil imports.

    Following the inauguration of     Jerry Brown as the 40th President of the United States on January 20th, the relationship between the Heads of State quickly cooled for obvious reasons: during the 1976 presidential campaign, Brown harshly criticized the human rights violations against dissidents in Iran, going so far as to questioning if US economic & military aid to Iran was benefiting American values.

    In light of the Brown administration's aggressive campaign for international human rights, the Shah had become something of a liability as well as an embarrassment due to the usage of secret police, torture & violent harsh punishment in order to quell opposition. US Secretary of State     Walter Mondale personally met face-to-face with the Shah in Tehran during a bilateral meeting on June 13th, where according to sources Mondale warned the Shah of a potential revolution against his regime & the international ramifications if there wasn't any reforms being implemented in quelling the mass demonstrations due to majority of Iranians living in poverty, etc., Mondale also relayed President Brown's message to the Shah on the human rights violations during a closed-door meeting; the Shah reportedly urged Mondale that the situation was being handled delicately & there's no concern of potential revolution because he has confidence in the Iranian military to prevent any uprising.

    October 29th, 1977:
    BREAKING NEWS: PRESIDENT BROWN SEVERING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH SOUTH AFRICA
    In a televised Address to the Nation from the White House, President Brown announced he was severing diplomatic relations with South Africa & terminating all military & economic aid with that country. "With the violence, torture and murder happening in South Africa, I cannot in good conscience, be complicit of the egregious human rights violations of the Apartheid government of the Republic of South Africa. Despite attempts at trying to use diplomatic solutions in resolving long decades of repression, the Apartheid government's use of secret police, torturing dissidents and those, who speak out against opponents. Therefore, in light of the refusal of South Africa to ending this despicable Apartheid policy, the United States effective immediately, will terminate diplomatic ties." US Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young addressed reporters confirming the President's abrupt announcement of cutting off diplomatic relations with South Africa.

    November 5th, 1977:
    BREAKING NEWS: SOUTH AFRICA EXPELLED FROM THE UNITED NATIONS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
    During an emergency UN Security Council meeting, the United Nations voted to expell South Africa from the international organization. Despite attempts at trying to convince other UN members to prevent this controversial vote, these efforts fell on deaf ears as South Africa was expelled in a unanimous vote.

    Conservative opponents of the President strongly criticized the actions as "caving to the triggered mob" & questioned the legality of President Brown abrogating the mutual defense treaty with South Africa. The South African Embassy in Washington, DC blasted the controversial decision by President Brown to severing diplomatic ties by stating disappointment & warning to other countries who might face similar fates.

    November 29th, 1977: Detente with Cuba? Secret meetings trending in that direction with potential State Visit.
    Following a policy that the United States should have diplomatic relations with all countries regardless of their ideologies, members of the then-Brown Presidential Transition Team carried on secret talks with Cuba in December 1976 pledging a new cordial direction between the countries. Upon taking office, President Brown began taking steps in restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba, which had been cut off in 1961.

    In March, the Brown administration lifted all restrictions on American tourism in Cuba. In the following month afterwards, American & Cuban diplomats held their first formal discussions in 16 years, reaching agreements on the rights of fishermen in overlapping fishing zones of the United States & Cuba.

    On September 1st, both countries exchanged diplomatic representatives below the rank of ambassador with Chief Liaison. US Deputy Secretary of State Cyrus Vance flew to Cuba for additional secret meetings with Cuban President Fidel Castro, ensuring that an upcoming summit between the leaders of the two nations would have positive results. Shortly after, President Brown was able to surprise the world with a television announcement of the impending Cuba trip, shocking everyone including bipartisan congressional leadership in both houses of Congress. In October, the Brown administration repealed the Embargo on Cuba policy, which had been in place since the Kennedy administration, which provoked anger from United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) ,who reportedly called the President's controversial abrupt decision "fucking stupid bullshit!"
     
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    • Chapter VII: National & International Segments (Fall 1977: Part IV)
    • November 15th, 1977: Brown welcomes the Shah as demonstrators clash
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    Demonstrations outside the White House during the Welcoming Honors Ceremony for the Shah.

    Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran was welcomed to the White House by President Jerry Brown as demonstrators for & against the Shah clashed nearby. During the outdoor ceremony, tear gas released by riot police floated across the White House grounds & caused many officials to wipe their smarting eyes. During their two-day meeting, the leaders discussed Iran's domestic human rights policy, its request for fighter planes & nuclear power plants, & the future price of oil.

    November 18th, 1977: Rioting mars Taiwan election
    In provincial elections in Taiwan, the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) captured 85% of the 1,318 contested seats, but for the first time independents won four mayoral and magistrates seats & non-KMT candidates captured 21 out of the 77 seats available in the Provincial Assembly. Violence occurred in the city of Chungil in T'ao-yuan County when a KMT election official reportedly smudged ballots to rendering them invalid. Fire was set to cars, trucks, & to the police & fire stations before police restored order.

    November 20th, 1977: Sadat addresses the Knesset
    Egyptian President Anwar Sadat arrived in Jerusalem on November 19th & was accorded full honours as a visiting Head of State, even though Egypt & Israel don't have diplomatic relations. The next day, after visiting the al-Aqsa Mosque & other religious sites, Sadat addressed the Knesset. In his speech & in the reply delivered by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, there was a note of restraint, even though both leaders firmly reiterated their previous conditions for peace. Sadat demanded withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Arab lands occupied since the War of 1967 & insisted that "there can be no peace without the Palestinians." Begin warned that Israel "will not be put within range of fire for annihilation," a clear refusal to accept an independent Palestinian state on the West Bank of the Jordan River. No resolution of significant differences was expected or achieved before Sadat departed on November 21st, but psychological barriers to peace had been removed & further negotiations were planned.

    November 21st, 1977: National Women's Conference held in Houston
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    US Attorney General Barbara Jordan addressing the National Women's Conference in Houston, TX. Among those in attendance: former First Ladies Lady Bird Johnson & Betty Ford including Second Lady Rosalyn Carter.

    More than 1,400 voting delegates to the first National Women's Conference ended their three-day meeting in Houston, TX after approving 24 proposals that were intended to serve as guidelines for federal legislation. About 20% of the delegates, who described themselves as Pro-Life & Pro-Family were the most vehement in their opposition to abortion, lesbian rights & the Equal Rights Amendment all of which were endorsed by the conference. About 15,000 persons held counter Pro-Family rallies across town on November 19th to reject the anti-family goal of the Equal Rights Amendment & the International Women's Year.

    November 24th, 1977: Smith offers equal suffrage to blacks in Rhodesia
    Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith said he was willing to concede one-man, one-vote suffrage to blacks as a starting point for negotiations with black leaders living within the country. While agreeing in principle to black majority rule as a step toward settling Rhodesia's domestic problems, Smith also added that minority rights would also have to be safeguarded in the new Constitution. Joshua Nkomo & Robert Mugabe of the Patriotic Front, based outside Rhodesia, both declared they would continue their guerrilla war against the Rhodesian government.

    November 27th, 1977: Sadat calling for Cairo conference on the Middle East
    Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, in an effort to resolving procedural difficulties standing in the way of Geneva Peace Conference, issued invitations for preparatory conference in Cairo. Israel, the US & the United Nations said they would send representatives, but the Soviet Union said it would not. Syria announced its intention to go to Tripoli, Libya to attend a meeting of opponents of Sadat's initiatives with Israel. UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim suggested UN-sponsored conference after the meeting in Cairo.

    November 29th, 1977: US dockworkers end long striking protests
    US dockworkers from ME to TX ended their 60-day selective strike that began over demands that longshoremen loading & unloading container vessels be given job security. The settlement guaranteed NY St dockworkers 2,080 HRS of pay per year, even if there was not that much work available. Workers in other ports agreed to lower guaranteed income. The master contract would raise the employers cost to $14.15 an HR by the start of the third year.

    December 10th, 1977: US farmers demonstrate across the nation
    Thousands of farmers drove tractors & trucks in Washington, DC & into some 30 state capitals to focus the national attention on the financial difficulties they were encountering because of low prices for their commodities. Though there was widespread sympathetic thoughts & prayers for their cause, it didn't appear likely that very much would be done. Many protesting farmers said they would not join strikes that entailed withholding farm products from the market. The orderly columns of vehicles were escorted by police who tried to minimize problems created by snarling traffic. The largest tractor motorcade moved into Atlanta, GA., the capital city of VP Jimmy Carter's home state.

    December 14th, 1977: Conference on Middle East opens in Cairo
    Representatives of Egypt & Israel including US & UN observers met in Cairo, Egypt to discuss the procedural problems connected with future peace conference on the Middle East. Though Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, USSR & PLO refused to attend, their seats were left vacant in the hope that they would reconsider. UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim said it would be inappropriate to act as chairman of the meeting because UN participation at the conference had not been formally authorized by member nations.

    December 20th, 1977: Brown signs Social Security Tax Bill
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    President Jerry Brown speaking with reporters during Q&A Session.

    President Brown signed into law a new Social Security Tax Bill that would extend progressively larger contributions from both employers & employees & extending the taxable wage base from $16,500 in 1977 to $29,700 in 1981. It was hoped that the new law would put the program on sound financial basis for about 50+ years.
     
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    • Chapter VII: International Segments (Fall 1977: Part V)
    • AUTHOR'S UPDATE: Having added some twists & turns to this TL, you should note several international politicos will be butterflied away. Gotta spice things up if you know what I mean. In the meantime, enjoy the tailend of Chapter VII as 1977 comes to a close & 1978 gets more intriguing 😉

    December 23rd, 1977: Rumblimgs of explosive revolt in Bolivia? Intelligence reports cannot be certain
    Despite its imperfections, Bolivia has somewhat managed to become a surprisingly functioning country in a chaotic region of the Americas: South America, but there are some potential sginals that demonstrations, riots & protests including backlash against several government officials have caused many to worry if the South American nation could face an ugly revolution down there...

    Bolivian President General Hugo Banzer Suarez, who took power in 1971, has rebuffed the human rights campaign of US President Jerry Brown ,who questioned whether Banzer's government was legitimate & representing the basic principles of democracy which he strongly emphasized during their bilateral meeting during the Summer of 1977. Banzer responded that previous administrations used non-interference in Bolivia's internal affairs: domestically & politically.
     
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