It's future fiction with some elements of science fiction to it (VERY few elements). The setting is post World War III America, where the U.S. was conquered by China and then freed into a patchwork of anarchist and feudal systems when China's economy collapsed. I'm writing in first-person from my perspective as an 67-year-old man in 2049. I live with my daughter and grandson. My wife and son-in-law were killed in the war. My daughter runs a small subsistence farm and my job is to use my skills as an engineer to maintain the perimeter, guarded by land mines and booby traps, which keep bandits out. I've started the story but don't really have an idea where I'm going with it. Anyway, to get a nice, fluid setting going, I wrote down a timeline. Keep in mind, there are some political elements to it, but this is a firmly non-political story. There is some speculation regarding the 2008 election as well, and will probably change by the time I'm done writing it, but I do predict a Republican victory, and the death of the U.S. under his administration. Please note that this does not in any way mean that I believe America will collapse under his presidency. As you will see, the situation for the downfall of the country is not related in any way to the political leanings of the president. So without further adieu, the timeline:
2001 - Terrorists attack the United States of America, killing 3,000 and destroying the World Trade Center. President George W. Bush declares war against terrorism across the world
2003 - USA invades Iraq on faulty evidence connecting the nation with terrorist groups
2004 - Bush wins narrow re-election
2008 - John McCain becomes 44th U.S. president, continues war in Iraq. Last democratic election of the United States
2012 - Iraq War bankrupts United States government, China calls in debt. US government refuses to pay. McCain calls off presidential election due to "national emergency." Calls in national guard to prevent any forcible removal from office
May, 2013 - China invades U.S. soil, captures Hawaii, Los Angeles, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Portland
June 15, 2013 - North Korea and Russia join Chinese invasion, levels Minneapolis in nuclear missile attack
January 28, 2015 - China sweeps across the southern plains, capturing Dallas and Houston. Mississippi River becomes the front line of battle. U.S. dollar becomes valueless. Intact businesses begin only accepting Euros or Canadian dollars.
2016 - McCain calls off second election, puts entire nation under martial law, recalls all troops stationed overseas. Civil unrest becomes full rebellion, 2nd U.S. Civil War begins. North Korea conquers South Korea.
2017 - Civil War critically weakens U.S. resistance to invasion force. China crosses Mississippi River, quickly capturing Nashville, Indianapolis, Atlanta, and finall Washington D.C.
February 3, 2018 - McCain signs official surrender of the United States, permanently dissolving the government. USA ceases to exist
2019 - China inaugurates its rule over the territories of the former United States with a combination of capitalist and communist philosophies. Splits former United States into the Confederation of Chinese-American Provinces (ruled by China), East America (ruled by Russia), and the Democratic People's Republic of America (ruled by Korea). Rebellion ignites across the territories
2021 - Crackdown on rebels is launched. Lead cell is infiltrated and dismantled. Open rebellion ceases
2025 - Last Church in the territories is closed by the Chinese government. Organized religion ceases to exist in the former US.
April 17, 2026 - Plasma Discharge Rifle is invented by Russian scientists. Using intense electromagnetic pulses, it can melt steel and Kevlar on impact, making all forms of traditional armor obsolete
2028 - English education is discontinued in the CCAP public school system. Chinese state mandates quadralingual education program for all schoolchildren in Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish. Korean and Russian states follow suit.
October 23, 2036 - CCAP crosses Detroit river to launch invasion on Canada. Toronto, Quebec and Ottawa captured. European union denounces attack. Britain, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy send troops to aid in Canada's defense.
December 14, 2036 - European allied troops liberate Ottawa, sending CCAP troops into retreat. Switzerland breaks neutrality policy and joins european coalition in addition to Portugal, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland
January 23, 2037 - European coalition executes simultaneous attacks against the CCAP, wrestling last remaining Canadian cities from Chinese control
May 15, 2037 - Chinese economy crashes in wake of failed Canadian invasion and dislike of aggressive foreign policy. Yuan becomes valueless
November 5, 2037 - Uprising against Korean government in Seattle leads to arrest of all academics. 5,000 publicly executed. All Universities closed
April 2, 2038 - Korea's economy collapses, loses control of DRPA. China and Russia both lay claim to former Korean territory
2038 - Chinese-Russian war begins. Russia uses secretly-assembled East American and Alaskan armies equipped with plasma rifles to attack CCAP. Chinese army suffers heavy casualties
2042 - Chinese and Russian governments collapse. Nearly 30 years of constant war leaves a North American population of only 50 million, living mostly in rural areas
2045 - Increasing debt collapses the governments of Canada and Mexico
June 13, 2050 - Oil reaches 500 Euros per barrel for the first time despite lack of demand from Asia and North America. Prices for gasoline in Europe surge to an average 10 Euros per liter.
2053 - Highway bandits begin to consolidate power, forming small armies, fighting each other for supplies like gasoline and food. Leaders of these groups establish headquarters
2099 - Last free territory is conquered. North America eventually becomes a feudalistic patchwork of private estates. Period from 2013 to 2042 generally recognized as "World War III"
As far as the story is concerned, this is what I have so far. Feel free to give critique if you so desire.
The Lost Nation
"Grandpa, what's America?" My grandson, Johnathan often addressed me in English. He knew I wasn't very good at Chinese. I didn't learn it as a child like he did. If there was one thing about the CCAP I missed it was the language education. Knowing a couple languages can come in handy, give you an edge when it comes to surviving. Unfortunately for me, I was already 45 when they started teaching the kids Chinese and Russian, far too old to learn anything with ease. I snapped out of my reminiscient thoughts to answer my grandson's question. "America is what we used to call this land when I was your age." "Why?" "Well, that was before the men from China came here and ran things." Johnathan paused and processed this new information. "Don't you have another question?" I asked. "Nope, I'm good for now!" "Your english is sloppy," I chided. "Dad, leave him alone!" my daughter called from the kitchen.
I've discussed with her several times my disapproval of her not teaching John the history of the United States. She'd often roll her eyes when I brought up the subject, saying something along the lines of "dad, filling John's head with stories about the old country isn't going to help him get his chores done."
B_Deserter
JoinedPosts by B_Deserter
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7
I'm writing a story
by B_Deserter init's future fiction with some elements of science fiction to it (very few elements).
the setting is post world war iii america, where the u.s. was conquered by china and then freed into a patchwork of anarchist and feudal systems when china's economy collapsed.
i'm writing in first-person from my perspective as an 67-year-old man in 2049. i live with my daughter and grandson.
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B_Deserter
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30 y/o Bros from TX move to FL, have a party with 16 y/o Sisters!
by MinisterAmos inwe here in the fl panhandle were "blessed" to have some 25 ish y/o brothers from tx move here recently.
they had the usual welcoming party two weeks ago, and all the young bros from mobile to fort waalton showed up to welcome them!
the only thing was, there was no elder to supervise!
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B_Deserter
My brother is from the Fort Walton Beach area. I'm not sure if he lives there now, but he was dfed quite a few years ago.
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Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys
by compound complex indear youthful readers,.
were you into reading nancy drew or the hardy boys?
i inherited some of the originals but never had read them as a kid.
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B_Deserter
My dad had a whole bunch of original Hardy Boys books that I enjoyed quite a bit.
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Cousin agrees, Questioning the FADS isn't wrong...now he wants more.
by dawg inok, so all of you know about my letter writing campaign; i've had several break throughs and just as many disappointments... about what i expected.
i'd say the response to my letters has been 50/50.. so, the last few weeks, i've been recieveing e-mail replies from one of my cousins.
he conseedes the fact that it isn't "apostacy" to question the fads.... this after much coaching on my part.. but i gave him three things to look into, one was why it is apostacy in this dumb assesd religion to question the men in the gb.
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B_Deserter
I figured I'd still get some use out of Watchtower Library.
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Cousin agrees, Questioning the FADS isn't wrong...now he wants more.
by dawg inok, so all of you know about my letter writing campaign; i've had several break throughs and just as many disappointments... about what i expected.
i'd say the response to my letters has been 50/50.. so, the last few weeks, i've been recieveing e-mail replies from one of my cousins.
he conseedes the fact that it isn't "apostacy" to question the fads.... this after much coaching on my part.. but i gave him three things to look into, one was why it is apostacy in this dumb assesd religion to question the men in the gb.
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B_Deserter
Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses take the number 144,000 mentioned in the book of Revelation literally and not symbolically?
The apostle John wrote: “I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand.” (Revelation 7:4) In the Bible, the phrase “those who were sealed” refers to a group of individuals who are chosen from among mankind to rule with Christ in heaven over the coming Paradise earth. (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; Revelation 5:9, 10; 20:6) Their number, 144,000, is understood literally for several reasons. One is found in the immediate context of Revelation 7:4.
After the apostle John was told in vision about this group of 144,000 individuals, he was shown another group. John describes this second group as “a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.” This great crowd refers to those who will survive the coming “great tribulation,” which will destroy the present wicked world.—Revelation 7:9, 14.
Note, however, the contrast that John draws between verses 4 and 9 of Revelation chapter 7. He states that the first group, “those who were sealed,” has a definite number. However, the second group, “a great crowd,” is without a definite number. With that in mind, it is logical to take the number 144,000 to be literal. If the number 144,000 were symbolic and referred to a group that is actually numberless, the force of the contrast between those two verses would be lost. Thus, the context strongly indicates that the number 144,000 must be taken literally.
Various Bible scholars, past and present, reached the same conclusion—that is, the number is literal. For instance, in commenting on Revelation 7:4, 9, British lexicographer Dr. Ethelbert W. Bullinger observed some 100 years ago: “It is the simple statement of fact: a definite number in contrast with the indefinite number in this very chapter.” (The Apocalypse or “The Day of the Lord,” page 282) More recently, Robert L. Thomas, Jr., professor of New Testament at The Master’s Seminary in the United States, wrote: “The case for symbolism is exegetically weak.” He added: “It is a definite number [at 7:4] in contrast with the indefinite number of 7:9. If it is taken symbolically, no number in the book can be taken literally.”—Revelation: An Exegetical Commentary, Volume 1, page 474.
Some argue that since Revelation contains highly symbolic language, all numbers found in this book, including the number 144,000, must be symbolic. (Revelation 1:1, 4; 2:10) That conclusion, though, is clearly not correct. Granted, Revelation contains numerous symbolic numbers, but it also includes literal numbers. For instance, John speaks of “the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14) Clearly, the number 12 mentioned in this verse is literal, not symbolic. Further, the apostle John writes about “the thousand years” of Christ’s reign. That number is also to be taken literally, as a careful consideration of the Bible shows. (Revelation 20:3, 5-7) Hence, whether a number in Revelation is to be taken literally or symbolically depends on its background and setting.
The conclusion that the number 144,000 is literal and refers to a limited number of individuals, a relatively small group when compared with the “great crowd,” also harmonizes with other Bible passages. For instance, later in the vision that the apostle John receives, the 144,000 are described as those who “were bought from among mankind as firstfruits.” (Revelation 14:1, 4) The expression “firstfruits” refers to a small representative selection. Also, while Jesus was on earth, he spoke about those who will rule with him in his heavenly Kingdom and called them a “little flock.” (Luke 12:32; 22:29) Indeed, those from among mankind who will rule in heaven are few in comparison with those of mankind who will inhabit the coming Paradise earth.
Hence, the context of Revelation 7:4 and related statements found elsewhere in the Bible bear out that the number 144,000 is to be taken literally. It refers to those who will rule in heaven with Christ over a paradise earth, which will be filled with a large and undetermined number of happy people who worship Jehovah God.—Psalm 37:29. -
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Pray silently?!? What the heck is this about?
by A-Team ini was just reading memphisbelle's account, and she mentions that the wt says that one is suppose to pray silently so satan wouldn't be able to mess up god's plans.
um, correct me if i am wrong, since i have never been, or will never be a jw....but what the heck kind of logic is this?!?
(especially if you read what the bible says about prayer.
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B_Deserter
Isn't saying that Satan can mess up God's plans implying that Satan is more powerful than Jehovah?
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What were your "coming out" of the WT stages?
by changeling ini think that we all leave the wt in stages.
i think that when we first "see" the wt as false we do not fully understand the implications.
i think we all go though stages before it's all settled in our minds and that the stages and the "road" may be different for each one.. here are my stages:.
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B_Deserter
- Studied the Daniel book one night about the multiple kings of the north and south. It was too big of a pill to swallow. I ignored it.
- Read some of the arguments from the "new atheists" and couldn't answer them
- Looked up the "criticism" section in the wiki article about Jehovah's Witnesses for the first time. Found out about the NGO thing. It didn't bother me at the time.
- One weekend it all came together. Told my mom. She said I was just saying that because I was depressed
- Dad tried to debate the Bible with me. I wasn't in any condition to answer back. He used the predictions of the Book of Daniel about the "Hairy He-Goat" to prove the Bible's authenticity.
- Tried to buy it for a few weeks, just couldn't do it.
- Finally admitted to myself I don't believe in the supernatural.
- Said "Happy Thanksgiving" for the first time this year, as well as "Merry Christmas."
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B_Deserter
The stupidest beliefs are when they try to tie Daniel and Revelation together and apply it to modern times. Religious people like this tend to be very chronocentric. They will always believe they are special and thus must live in a special time. But yeah, my vote goes for the 1914/type & anti-type/multiple kings of the north and south stuff.
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Bush is our Savior?
by donkey inhttp://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aczsi1ia8vc4&refer=home .
bushy is working to send you $800 if you are single or $1,600 if you file taxes as a household.
rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic or bushy is our savior?
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B_Deserter
When people get this refund, they're going to think that the government is given them their own money. What Bush is really doing is giving you back your own money.
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IM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW I COULD CRY!!!!
by B_Deserter insorry about the caps, but i'm really excited.
i saw my long lost cousin online and finally worked up the guts to contact him.
we had a really great chat about my dubdom and my fade-in-progress.
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B_Deserter
did I read right?? your "fade-in"
My fade-in-progress, meaning I'm in the middle of a fade.