Alternate History 🇺🇸 November 2, 1976: President Nelson Rockefeller wins election to full 4-year term and the aftermath

[Sergeant Foley]

......"With Reagan winning in such a large resounding blowout victory, there were signs that his incoming administration was going to be more supportive of our government as far as combatting these outside agitators were concerned.

The foreign policy priorities of the incoming administration was going to also be more friendly toward other military governments like in Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, El Salvador, Guatemala for example. While Holton was somewhat supportive of some of us, there was also a bit of resistance due to those asshats in the US Congress.

Another irritation which drove us nuts was non-stop their virtue signaling bluster about controlling foreign policy. It annoyed us to no end! Slow-walking economic and military aid to in helping us fight these outside agitators.

Robles of Mexico had gotten annoyed with the slow-walking of the proposed USMEX Economic Development Trade Deal of 1979 because some overgrown jerk in Congress kept bitching about "human rights violations", after weeks and months of stagnant slow-walking, the trade deal got done finally.

South Africa was happy about Reagan's landslide victory because they strongly preferred him in the White House and not Carey, who would've taken US/South Africa diplomatic relations into a different direction.

The one big question mark was Haig, whom many assumed was going to be heading to State under incoming President Reagan. We knew he served under Nixon and Ford under many different roles, but seeing him being tapped to serve as Secretary of State was somewhat of a surprise. The 1980s were going to be a decade of stability.....or so we thought!"
-Audio recording
From Anonymous Argentinian Army General Officer
Suburbs of Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic

 

[Sergeant Foley]

AUTHOR'S NOTE ON CHAPTER 10: I'll also be working on the Wiki-esque Infobox on Holton once his Presidency ends on 20 January 1981.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

FOOT REPLACES CALLAGHAN AS LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN BRITISH PARLIAMENT
*Monday, November 10, 1980: Members of the British Labour Party of the House of Commons, voted for a new leader replacing former British Prime Minister James Callaghan as the Leader of the Opposition with Michael Foot narrowly defeating former Chancellor of the Exchequer Denis Healey by vote of 139-129.

DISCOVERY OF ATHLIT RAM IN ISRAEL

*Tuesday, November 11, 1980: The Athlit Ram was discovered by a scubadiver in the waters off of the coast of Atlit in Israel.

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: 811 POLITICIANS IN REPUBLIC OF KOREA BANNED FROM HOLDING POLITICAL OFFICE
*Wednesday, November 12, 1980: In a major sweeping purge of any political opposition, ROK President Chun Doo-hwan announced a list of 811 politicians will be banned from holding any political office for seven years.

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: HOLTON NOMINATES BREYER TO SERVE AS JUDGE OF THE US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIRST CIRCUIT
*Thursday, November 13, 1980: Stephen Breyer is nominated by outgoing President Linwood Holton to serve as the Judge of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He would go onto being confirmed by the outgoing Democratic-controlled United States Senate by a vote of 80-10 on 9 December 1980.

CBS SPECIAL REPORT: COUP IN GUNIEA-BISSAU
*Friday, November 14, 1980: Bissau-Guinean President Luis Cabral, who's been in office since 1973, was ousted from office by Prime Minister Army Major Joao Bernardo Viera. Cabral and his family were vacationing on the island of Bubaque at the time of the coup.

SUCCESSFUL NUCLEAR PUMPED LASER TESTS
*The first successful tests of nuclear pumped laser were being conducted by scientists of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California.

SPORTS: CHANDLER WINS WBA BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
*Jeff Chandler knocked out Julian Solis in the 14th Round to win the World Boxing Association bantamweight championship in Miami, Florida.

PONTIFF VISITS WEST GERMANY IN HISTORIC VISIT
*Saturday, November 15, 1980: Pope John Paul II made history by being the first Roman Catholic Pontiff to visit Germany for the first time in 200 years when he arrived in Koln.

SPORTS: NOTRE DAME ACCEPTS BID FOR SUGAR BOWL
*In College Football, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish accept an invitation to play in the 1980 Sugar Bowl set for 1 January 1981 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana; this comes following their 7-0 victory over Alabama. While #1 Georgia Bulldogs effectively clinched the SEC Championship and automatic bid for the Sugar Bowl following their 31-21 victory over Auburn Tigers.

60 PEOPLE KILLED, 400 INJURED IN ARMY MUNITIONS EXPLOSIONS IN THAILAND
*Sunday, November 16, 1980: At least 60 people were killed and 400 others injured due to series of explosions at an Army munitions depot in Bangkok, Thailand. Thai Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda had blamed the explosion blast on a chemical accident.

AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND PALAU
*Monday, November 17, 1980: An agreement was reached between the United States and Palau, a set of islands part of the US Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Under the agreement (consisting of 75 pages), the Republic of Palau would become an independent nation on 1 January 1981 with the right of managing their own internal and foreign affairs while the United States pledged to be responsible for Palau's defense and security.

CAREY UNDECIDED ON POLITICAL FUTURE IN AFTERMATH OF LANDSLIDE DEFEAT IN 1980 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
*Tuesday, November 18, 1980: In his first public appearance since conceding the 1980 Presidential election to former California Governor and President-elect Ronald Reagan on November 4th, New York State Governor Hugh L. Carey (D) held his first post-campaign press conference inside the Executive Chamber of the New York State Capitol Building in Albany, New York State; he listed off the specific issues that his presidential campaign brought up: the budget deficits, inflation crisis, foreign policy hot-spots, etc.,; Carey also was asked about his political future and whether he would be seeking reelection in 1982: "I have no comment about that, my focus will be on the 1981 legislative session coming up in less than two months from now." Sources in the Empire State are indicating that Carey seems more likely heading for the exits which will open the door for New York State Lieutenant Governor Mario Cuomo (D), who all but is assured to be the Democratic Party nominee for the Governorship.

BEGIN SURVIVES CONFIDENCE VOTE ABOUT HIS GOVERNMENT IN ISRAELI PARLIAMENT
*Wednesday, November 19, 1980: Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin narrowly survived a vote of confidence by just three votes (57 in favor of keeping his government in power, while 54 voted against). This was the narrowest of the 20 no-confidence motions, which was filed against his government throughout 1980.

LAKE PEIGNEUR FRESHWATER LAKE DRAINED
*Thursday, November 20, 1980: Lake Peigneur, a freshwater lake in Louisiana, was completely drained following an oil drilling rig which inadvertently bored a hole into the roof of a salt-mine. The Texaco oil company was doing exploratory drilling when it punctured the roof of the underground mine, operated by the Diamond Crystal Salt Company.


MGM FIRE RESULTS IN THE DEATHS OF 85 GUESTS; PRESIDENT HOLTON TOURS THE DAMAGE

​

*Friday, November 21, 1980: A fire broke out inside the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, which resulted in the deaths of 85 guests and 650 injuries; According to local news reports, fire had broken out in one of the hotel's restaurants on the ground floor, The Deli at 7:07 PST in the morning. The fire then quickly spread upward through the entire building; fire investigators from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Fire Department determined that an electrical fire began inside the attic above the restaurant and had been smoldering for almost three hours. 18 people in the Casino lost their lives, while other perished of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning as the fire continued spreading between the 19th-24th floors of the hotel. The next day, President Linwood Holton accompanied by Nevada Governor Robert List (R) including members of the Nevada congressional delegation toured the damage and met with the first responders, law enforcement officers, survivors, etc.,

17TH ANNIVERSARY OF JFK'S ASSASSINATION
*Saturday, November 22, 1980: The nation commemorated the 17th anniversary of the assassination of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated during a parade while riding in an open limousine in Dallas, Texas.

EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTHERN ITALY
*Sunday, November 23, 1980: 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Irpinia, Italy resulted in the deaths of 2,483 people and injuring 8,934 others. Main shock with an epicenter at Eboli, struck at 7:34 PM; Among the casualties were over 100 people, who were attending Mass at a Roman Catholic Church in Balvano, who were buried alive when the front wall of the building collapsed as they were trying to escape and get out.

ELECTIONS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
*Monday, November 24, 1980: First elections for the 12-member Tobago House of Assembly were being conducted as the small island received autonomy within the nation of Trinidad and Tobago; the Democratic Action Congress won 8 out of the 12 seats.

LEONARD RECLAIMS WBC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

​

*Tuesday, November 25, 1980: In the rematch for the World Welterweight Boxing Championship (WBC) held inside the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana between defending WBC champion Roberto Duran and former WBC champion Sugar Ray Leonard, whom Duran had beaten four months earlier; The rematch ended abruptly in the closing seconds of the 8th Round when Duran quit the fight, resulting in Leonard reclaiming the WBC welterweight boxing championship.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Presidential Transition: Holton to Reagan
3:26 PM EST, Thursday, November 20, 1980
Oval Office, White House
Washington, DC.

President Holton and President-elect Reagan during the Transition Period.​

This was considered a quite intriguing moment: for the first time since LBJ 12 years earlier, an lame-duck outgoing incumbent President, who chose not to seek reelection despite amazing job approval ratings, was facing the prospect of a lame duck transition period for his successor, with Republicans keeping control of the White House. However, he along with fellow Republicans Nixon, Ford and Rockefeller never had his party control either house of Congress because Democrats had previously held super-majorities in the US House of Representatives and United States Senate within the 12 year period.

With his incoming successor having a friendly Republican-controlled United States Senate, things were going to be dramatically changing. Holton was watching the election results inside the Residence of the White House (3rd floor) on the evening of 4 November 1980 and invited Reagan for a visit to the White House, 16 days after the election of course. On the afternoon of 20 November 1980: the Holton's and Reagan's met face-to-face to begin the full-scale transition plans, while outgoing First Lady Jinks Holton was giving incoming First Lady Nancy Reagan a tour of the Executive Residence on the 3rd floor, their husbands toured the West Wing and met for several hours inside the Oval Office as Holton expounded his thoughts on domestic and foreign policy concerns. The incoming 41st President of the United States was quite impressed with Holton's knowledge of the domestic and foreign policy issues, while Holton was impressed about the Gipper's sunny optimism with a staunch conservative bent.

Soon afterwards, reporters gathered inside the Oval Office to see the 40th President and the incoming 41st President address the White House Press Corps pool of reporters:

President Holton: "Good afternoon my fellow Americans, I would like to say that while members of the press are here that we've had a very enjoyable and very productive hour or so together, not only describing to one another the commitment that we share for a good transition period, but also I've outlined to Governor Reagan some of the issues I've faced as President that will be shared with him in the transition period and inherited by him on Inauguration Day.

One of the wonderful things about this great country, being a democracy, is the orderly transition of authority and responsibility. He and I understand very well that I will be the President in the fullest sense of the word until Inauguration Day January 20, 1981, and then instantly at the time he takes the oath of office, he will have full responsibilities. We have a very good working relationship personally going back to our days as fellow Governors together in Virginia and California respectively including serving on the National Governors Association and also a very fine transition commitment, which has been in effect for several weeks now.

I also understand that Jinks and Nancy have had a good visit, too, and Mrs. Reagan has had a chance to look at the White House and the place where they will be living in the future.

But I'm very grateful to Governor Reagan for having come this afternoon and permitted me to sharing with him some of the common commitments we have as the President and future President of our Nation. It's been a delightful experience for me and very gratifying.

Governor Reagan?

Presidet-elect Reagan: "I want to express my strong and sincere appreciation to the President. He has been most gracious and most cooperative, he and his people, with regard to this transition and has certainly made it a much easier time than it could otherwise have been. And we're deeply grateful, appreciate it very much."

President Holton: "Thank you, sir. Good luck. I'll be seeing you in the future often."

President-elect Reagan: "Thanks very much. I hope so."

Nancy Reagan: "Thank you so much."

 

[Sergeant Foley]

EXIT POLLS FROM THE 1980 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FROM 4 NOVEMBER 1980:
*(Liberals)
Carey: 60%
Reagan: 28%
Anderson: 11%

*(Moderates)
Reagan: 49%
Carey: 43%
Anderson: 7%

*(Conservatives)
Reagan: 73%
Carey: 23%
Anderson: 3%

*(Democrats)
Carey: 67%
Reagan: 27%
Anderson: 6%

*(Republicans)
Reagan: 85%
Carey: 13%
Anderson: 2%

*(Independents)
Reagan: 59%
Carey: 28%
Anderson: 12%

*(Men)
Reagan: 63%
Carey: 23%
Anderson: 12%

*(Women)
Reagan: 47%
Carey: 46%
Anderson: 7%

*(Union)
Carey: 48%
Reagan: 45%
Anderson: 7%

*(Non-Union)
Reagan: 56%
Carey: 36%
Anderson: 7%

*(Anglos)
Reagan: 63%
Carey: 29%
Anderson: 7%

*(African Americans)
Carey: 79%
Reagan: 16%
Anderson: 5%

*(Latinos)
Carey: 60%
Reagan: 33%
Anderson: 7%

*(18-21)
Carey: 45%
Reagan: 44%
Anderson: 11%

*(22-29)
Carey: 44%
Reagan: 44%
Anderson: 12%

*(30-44)
Reagan: 55%
Carey: 38%
Anderson: 7%

*(45-59)
Reagan: 57%
Carey: 39%
Anderson: 4%

*(60+)
Reagan: 60%
Carey: 35%
Anderson: 5%

*(East)
Reagan: 48%
Carey: 43%
Anderson: 8%

*(Midwest)
Reagan: 51%
Carey: 42%
Anderson: 6%

*(South)
Reagan: 57%
Carey: 40%
Anderson: 3%

*(West)
Reagan: 71%
Carey: 21%
Anderson: 7%

 

[Sergeant Foley]

FINAL RESULTS FROM THE 1980 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
4 NOVEMBER 1980

Former Governor Ronald Reagan (R-CA)/Former CIA Director George HW Bush (R-TX): 45,913,925 (57.13%)✔ Projected Winner
453 Electoral Votes (including Puerto Rico)
Governor Hugh L. Carey (D-NY St)/Governor George Busbee (D-GA): 29,481,573 (35.16%)
90 Electoral Votes (including District of Columbia)
Congressman John B. Anderson (I-IL)/Former Governor Patrick J. Lucey (I-IL): 6,715,883 (6.73%)
0 Electoral Votes​

*House of Representatives: beginning 3 January 1981
244 Democrats
191 Republicans

*United States Senate: beginning 3 January 1981
53 Republicans
49 Democrats

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 10 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Personal PoV's

 

[Sergeant Foley]

....."It was pretty shocking when news reports got confirmation from the Transition Team that United States Senator Henry Martin "Scoop" Jackson of Washington was going to be tapped as the next US Secretary of Defense. Many of us were dumbfounded by President-elect Ronald Reagan naming Jackson, who's a Democrat to serve in the Cabinet.

Considering Jackson's hardline positions on foreign policy and national defense in his 27 years in the United States Senate, it wasn't a surprise to any of us that he would be running things at the Pentagon; Bad news was we would lose another Senate seat to the Republicans with incoming Washington Governor John Spellman was more likely to appoint a Republican to Jackson's US Senate seat upon Scoop's confirmation by the Senate.

Word on the street was Weinberger would be serving as Deputy Secretary of Defense, which wouldn't be a problem. Although I assumed that Weinberger would get Defense, seeing Jackson tapped to lead Defense completely came out of nowhere.

With our outgoing majority in the Senate winding down, there was going to be internal debate amongst us on how the 1980 Presidential election turned into another epic disaster for us: We only kept control of the US House of Representatives despite losing 35 House seats. Yet we suffered another defeat in the Presidential race; then losing control of the United States Senate by losing 12 Senate seats across the country. On the Governorships: we lost four Governorships and I'm still shocked Clinton lost reelection in Arkansas."
Anonymous Audio Recording
27 November 1980

 

[Sergeant Foley]

......"Ronald Wilson Reagan, the Smooth Hollywood Superstar kicked the Brooklyn Boxer's ass in a resounding blowout victory last month. Carrying 45 out of 51 States with 57 percent of the nationwide vote: WOW! Looks like we'll see more conservatives serving in the Federal Judiciary branch especially the Circuit Courts, District Courts of Appeals and yes: the Supreme Court

This has major ramifications as the political realignment in the United States will be forever changed as the conservatives will reshape policy and priorities forever."
-Excerpt from "Public Service in a Political Realignment of the 1980s"
Autobiography from L. Douglas Wilder
Former Governor of Virginia

 

[Sergeant Foley]

*Disclaimer: The following Installment will be NSFW-erotic. Viewer discretion advised
Personal PoV's: The Final Escapade
10:00 PM, Friday, November 28, 1980
Somewhere inside Los Pinos
Suburbs of Mexico City, Mexico
​

Mexican First Lady Fernanda Arizmendi was inside her secluded room inside the private quarters of the Presidential Palace. She was in the midst of one final escapade with Edith Vaulkner, who was a hermaphrodite woman working as a special nurse; both were naked and barefoot on the bed.

Realizing that her time was getting very short, Fernanda was laying on her back with her legs spread wide as she kissed Edith "Please give it to me baby.....Ohhhhh" as she quietly moaned while Edith's large penis thoroughly penetrated Fernanda's vagina by stretching it wide open.

This final escapade continued all evening long. Fernanda closed her eyes as she felt the stinging abdominal pain while being penetrated by Edith, who calmly replied "Does it hurt?" Fernanda responded that sometimes the pain comes and goes.

For the two secret lovers, this was likely to be the final escapade as neither knew how much time they would have together.
-Excerpt from "Secret Life of Fernanda"
Summer 2002

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

......"The situation in Nicaragua was getting more worse. Hostage Crisis had been dragging on since the fall of the Somoza family in mid-Fall 1979, when the Sandinistas rampaged into the US Embassy in Managua and held prisoner about 371 personnel employees of the Embassy including holding mock trials with threats of killing the hostages if their demands weren't met.

The world's attention was elsewhere for obvious reasons. I couldn't comprehend why the neighboring countries wouldn't send in military reinforcements in order to ending the conflict.

We were shocked when news broke in Asuncion, Paraguay that Somoza was assassinated by the Sandidistas via explosives and other violent methods."
Excerpt from Nicaraguan Hostage Crisis: The international crisis the world ignored.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Putting it Together
7:49 AM EST, Monday, December 1, 1980​

The transition team of President-elect Ronald Reagan was considered one of the largest operations ever in the history of presidential transitions: consisting between 1,000 or 1,500+ people involved both volunteering and paid staff members.

Serving as director of the Reagan transition team was Edwin Meese (who'll be detailed sometime around Chapter 13).

Overseeing the outgoing Holton administration's role in the presidential transition was White House Chief of Staff Ann C. Whitman, who's served under then-President Rockefeller and current President Holton in her current position.

Among the appointments for the Reagan presidential transition team: Richard V. Allen was appointed to serve as senior adviser for foreign policy and defense matters; Martin Anderson for domestic and economic matters; Caspar Weinberger (who was tapped to serve as US Deputy Secretary of Defense), was appointed as senior adviser on budget matters.

Among those joining the transition team: James Baker (at the insistence of Vice President-elect George HW Bush) was tapped to serve as deputy director and was also put in charge for overseeing the planning of the structure and management of the incoming Reagan administration's White House staff. Despite Nancy's hell-bent push in attempting to block Baker from having a role, Reagan announced he would be naming Baker as White House Chief of Staff, which secretly annoyed many Reaganites especially Deaver, Nofziger and others, who felt Baker is loyal only to the Bushes.

Others who joined included the following:
*Michael Deaver: Liaison to the Reagan family.
*Drew Lewis: Liaison to the Republican National Committee; women's groups; business community; State and local governments including working on developing providing policy briefings to Cabinet Secretary designates.
*Lyn Nofziger: In charge of Public Relations with members of the White House Press Corps.
*Verne Orr: Administrative and budgetary matters.
*William Timmons: Overseeing the transition team's assessment of existing programs and policies.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Third Term of the Jackass General
12:00 PM CST, Wednesday, December 17, 1980
National Palace
Mexico City, Mexico
​

With the Legislative Building under construction, the inauguration of Mexican President General Oscar Robles, which had been originally scheduled for 27 January 1981, was moved up due to the declining ealth of his wife, Mexican First Lady Fernanda Arizmendi, the inauguration for a historic third term, was going to be scaled back for obvious reasons.

The Presidential Office announced Robles will be sworn into office during a scaled-down inauguration inside the National Palace in Mexico City on December 17th.

Originally, it was supposed to be held on the grounds of the Mexican Military Academy because of major construction of the Legislative Building that wouldn't be completed until September 1981, but in light of the situation regarding Fernanda's terminal cancer, Oscar preferred holding it at the National Palace instead.

On the early morning hours of December 17th, Fernanda was carefully being fitted for a dress with long sleeves and pants due to looking like a skeleton; when she attempted to tighten her belt, the burning stinging pain rushed inside of her, causing Fernanda to wince painfully. Esmeralda Pineda, one of the private nurses, quickly helped put the belt around her pants as well as adjusting the hairstyle of the First Lady of the United Mexican States. "Thank you Esmeralda. It's a good thing you're here because the pain is too much for me," Fernanda said as Pineda gave her some morphine shots to adjust her well-being because the inauguration festivities were going to be somewhat an all-day affair.

After being helped to a special wheelchair, Fernanda asked "What day is it today?" Esmeralda responded "It's Wednesday Madam First Lady. It's the inauguration of His Excellency the President." Fernanda calmly patted Esmeralda's hand as she wheeled the First Lady over to a dining table, where she ate a small breakfast before leaving to take additional medical treatment shots.

Oscar dressed in his full-dress Army military uniform with large black boots, arrived with his seven daughters, who hugged and kissed their mother. Maria happily said, "Mom, you look beautiful." After happily small talk, it was time for the rest of the Robles family to leave the private quarters of the Presidential Palace and headed to the presidential limousine for the inauguration festivities.

"Are you sure that you want to attend the inauguration Fernanda?", Oscar asked. There was no question that Fernanda wasn't going to miss her husband's third inauguration as the 58th President of the United Mexican States: "I'm ready to attend this historic inauguration. Might be the last time to attend a public official function. Let's go!" Fernanda proudly said before kissing Oscar on the cheek.

Esmeralda and two other private nurses helped Fernanda into the presidential limousine; Esmeralda placed an extra-large dark blue jacket covering the First Lady, who looked like a complete skeleton due to the severity of her advanced cervical cancer. Oscar and Fernanda rode in the presidential limousine while their seven daughters rode in the second limousine behind them; Agents of the Mexican Presidential Secret Service rode in the first three vehicles including the additonal limousines behind the vehicles containing members of the Robles family, which all drove out of the grounds of Los Pinos.

With at least five Presidential Secret Service agents guarding the presidential limousine with an open convertible top, Oscar and Fernanda happily waved to cheering crowds throughout the heart of Mexico City during the parade, eventually arriving at their official destination: National Palace.

Outside of the grounds of the National Palace in downtown Mexico City, trumpets and drums sounded upon the arrival of the First Family while crowds cheered waving Mexican flags. Among those attending the Inauguration festivities included: outgoing US Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III; Argentine Republic President Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla (more on him in Chapter 11 as he closes out his Presidency); Brazilian President Joao Figuerido; Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau; French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing; King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan; Taiwanese President Chiang Ching-kuo; Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos; including members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Following the invocation by the Archbishop of Mexico City as well as opening remarks by Bernardo Reyes, President of the Mexican Senate, it was time for Oscar to take the oath of office for his historic third term as the 58th President of the United Mexican States.

President Robles: "I affirm to follow and uphold the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States and the laws that emanate from it, and to perform loyally and patriotically the office of the Republic which the people have conferred upon me, in all actions looking after the good and prosperity of the Union; And if I were not to do so, may the Nation demand it of me."

Rounds of applause from the crowd followed once Reyes handed the Presidential Sash to Robles, who put it on while his oldest son helped placed it tightly. Soon after the Oath of Office and placing of the Presidential Sash, Robles delivered his 25-minute Inaugural Address that included accomplishments from his first and second terms of his administration; including major budgeting techniques for the Mexican economy; infrastructure projects across all 30 States; foreign policy achievements and international affairs.

Following the 25-minute Inaugural Address, the patriotic Mexican National Anthem was performed inside the National Palace, while the thundering 21 Cannon Salute was fired outside by the Artillery Regiment Unit of the Mexican Army.

Fernanda kissed Oscar as cameras flashed at them (she was sitting next to him at the platform); after greeting the foreign dignitaries including the Diplomatic Corps, the Robleses walked outside of the National Palace and watched as a final Cannon Salute and Military Honors were being rendered once the Inauguration festivities were over; the Robleses got into their limousines and headed back to Los Pinos for private family festivities.

Nobody had any clue that Wednesday, December 17, 1980 would end up being the last time Fernanda would appear in public at an official event or function. Because sadly, this was likely the final appearance of Fernanda Arizmendi as First Lady of the United Mexican States.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

PRIME INTEREST RATE IS INCREASED TO 21 PERCENT
*Friday, December 19, 1980: The prime interest rate in the United States, a baseline for the interest rate chargeable on banking loans including an indicator of changes in the price inflation rate, was increased to 21 1/2%, which was a record-high that hadn't been exceeded since then.

TRAPP FAMILY LODGE DESTROYED BY FIRE
*Saturday, December 20, 1980: The Trapp Family Lodge, which was owned by the family made famous for the stage and film musical, 'The Sound of Music', was completely destroyed by a devastating fire in Stowe, Vermont. While Maria von Trapp and 44 other staff and guests fled for safety, one resident died in the devastating blaze.

NEGOTIATIONS IN RESOLVING NICARAGUA HOSTAGE CRISIS HITS SNAG
*Sunday, December 21, 1980: Negotiations in bids of ending the dragged-out Nicaraguan Hostage Crisis, where the Sandidista-run government demanded almost $25,000,000 from the United States, as part of the release of Nicaraguan assets that had been ordered frozen by US President Linwood Holton after American Embassy officials were taken hostage; US Secretary of State Malcolm Wilson rejected these demands, which the US press had noted was $460,000,000 for each of the 57 American hostages who had been held captive since 13 September 1979.

PINTO BALSEMAO DESIGNATED AS NEW PRIME MINISTER OF PORTUGAL
*Monday, December 22, 1980: Francisco Pinto Balsemao was designated as the new Prime Minister of Portugal by Portugese President Major General Winfield Gonsalves; Pinto Balsemao was a close associate of the late Portuguese Prime Minister Sa Carniero, who was killed in a plane crash on December 4th.

JOINT SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM RADAR STATIONS GO ONLINE
*Tuesday, December 23, 1980: The United States Air Defense Command's first seven Joint Surveillance System radar stations go online, replacing the SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) stations which were being phased out.

HOLTON POST-PRESIDENCY PLANS UNVEILED
*Wednesday, December 24, 1980: With his Presidency coming to a close, outgoing President Linwood Holton has announced the first phase of his post-Presidency plans once he leaves the White House on 20 January 1981: Writing a memoir called: "Making the Tough Decisions in leading America into the Future"; Holton also confirmed that he will be overseeing construction of his Presidential Library in Blacksburg, Virginia on the campus of Virginia Tech University. Holton will be celebrating the Christmas and New Years holiday breaks at the White House.

CHRISTMAS DAY CELEBRATIONS
*Thursday, December 25, 1980: Pope John Paul II during his traditional holiday blessing, given every Christmas by the Pontiff, spoke from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy delivering "To the City and the World" to more than 100,000 people in Saint Peter's Square and to millions of television viewers in 31 countries.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

PRESIDENT HOLTON DELIVERS THIRD AND FINAL STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS BEFORE JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS
*Wednesday, January 14, 1981: President Linwood Holton delivered his third and final State of the Union Address before a Joint Session of Congress inside the US House of Representatives chambers of the US Capitol in Washington, DC.

​

President Holton: "Speaker O'Neill, Vice President Brooke, members of the Cabinet, Justices of the United States Supreme Court, members of Congress and my fellow Americans:

Twenty-three months ago, I first spoke to you as the newly inaugurated 40th President of the United States. Tragic circumstances have me put in this position, following the tragic and sudden loss of President Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, whose loss we are still mourning and who, together with his dear family, is forever in our hearts and prayers. At that time, I humbly served in the role as the 42nd Vice President of the United States; as a governing partner to a dedicated public servant, who brought unprecedented progress to the United States and the entire world. For more than three and a half years, I was extremely proud serving as deputy to a president, who has earned the overwhelming trust and confidence of the world---and---more importantly---the American people. And yes, we have accomplished and achieved a lot between 1975 and 1979, I took this awesome responsibility at a time of international upheaval and turmoil including economic uncertainty. This was a very critical time for America and the world. Although many of these challenges are still with us and remain on our agenda and among many of the main priorities as a nation, I believe that together, we put America on a solid path toward a new decade of prosperity, peace and freedom as well as respect throughout the world.

While the Rockefeller/Holton years brought unprecedented economic growth, expanded civil rights for everyone and more allies and friends from throughout the world in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Oceania and the Asian Pacific; I should caution that the task isn't completed, but we still have a lot more work to do. Circumstances have shown the limits of growth, external factors beyond our borders, and in light of the Inflation Crisis, massive demands for energy have caused rising prices and economic turmoil in parts of the world. Trouble spots such as Nicaragua and other international hot-spots across the world have continued to demand America's needed attention; more just distribution of resources have remained among one of the biggest challenges we're facing as a nation and as citizens of the world. At home, our economic recovery cannot be merely a product of statistics of numbers nor budget surpluses. It's very important that economic booms must include and bearing fruits of all Americans of different backgrounds. And the government can and must provide frameworks ensuring this. At the same time, it can and must NOT intervene in every aspects of our lives all of the time and that means personal lives and economic activity through bureaucratic programs and initiatives. America must resist the growing temptation of big government bureaucracy and it's necessary to returning to basic American virtues.

In just about six days, I will lay down my official responsibilities as the 40th President of the United States, to take up once more the only title in our vibrant democracy more important than of President: And that is the basic title of citizen.

Of Vice President Brooke, my Cabinet including the hundreds of others who have served with me during the last twenty-three months, I wish to say now publicly what I have said to them in private: I thank them for the dedication and competence they've brought to their service to our great country. But I also owe my deepest thanks to you, to the American people.

During these twenty-three months, we've faced great challenges together, and we know that future problems will also be difficult. But I am now more convinced than ever that the United States, better than any other country, can meet successfully whatever the future might bring going forward. These last twenty-three months have made me more certain than ever the inner strength of our country, the unchanging value of our principles and ideals, the stability of our political system, the ingenuity and the decency of our people.

Tonight, I would like first to say a few words about this most important office, the Presidency of the United States. This is at once the most powerful office in the world and among the most severely constrained by law and custom. The President is given a broad responsibility to lead but cannot do so without the support and consent of the people, expressed formally through the Congress and informally in many ways through a wide range of public and private institutions. This is as it should be.

Within our system of government, every American has a right and duty to help shaping the future course of the United States of America. Thoughtful criticism and close scrutiny of all government officials by the press and the public are an important part of our democratic society. Now, as in the past, only the understanding and involvement of the people through full and open debate can help to avoiding serious mistakes and assuring the continued dignity and safety of the Nation.

Today, we are asking our political system to do things of which the Founding Fathers never even dreamed of. The government they had designed for a few hundred thousand now serves a nation of just 233 million people in all 51 States. Their small coastal republic now spans beyond a continent, and we also now have the responsibility to help leading much of the world throughout difficult and chaotic times in order to a secure and more prosperous future.

Right now, as people become more ever doubtful of the ability of the Government to dealing with our problems, we are increasingly drawn to single-issue voters, single-issue groups and special interest organizations to ensure that whatever else happens, our own personal views and our own private interests are protected. This is a disturbing factor in American political life. It tends to distort our purposes, because the national interest is not always the sum of all of our single or special interests. We are all Americans together, and we must never forget that the common interest and our individual responsibility.

Due to the fragmented and politically-fractured pressures of these special interests, it's very important that the office of the Presidency must be a strong one and that its constitutional authority must be preserved. The President is the only elected officeholder charged with primary responsibility of representing all of the people. In the moments of decision-making, after the different and conflicting viewpoints have all been aired, it is the President who then must speak to the Nation and for the Nation.

I understand that after two years in this office, as few others can, how formidable is the task for my successor, the incoming 41st President of the United States: Ronald Wilson Reagan, is about to undertake in just six days, and to the very limits of conscience and conviction, I pledge to support him in that task. Join me in wishing him success and Godspeed (rounds of applause).

As I return home to the Commonwealth of Virginia, where I was born and raised, I look forward to the opportunity to reflect and further to assess, I hope with accuracy, the circumstances of our times in this new decade. I intend to give our new President my upmost support, and I intend to work as a private citizen, as I've worked here in this office as President, for the values this Nation was founded to secure.

Once again, from the bottom of my heart, I want to express to all of you, the gratitude I feel. Thank you for listening my fellow Americans and farewell."
(Rounds of applause).

President Holton hasn't announced any retirement plans for his post-Presidency besides plans on writing a memoir on his administration's achievements and accomplishments. He will be heading back to Roanoke, Virginia, though the Holton's have bought a home in Kilmarnock, Virginia. Some Holton confidants told the White House Press Corps that he and Jinks plan on remaining permanently in his home State of Virginia. Upon leaving office on January 20, 1981, Linwood Holton will be only one of just two living former Presidents following Richard Nixon (1969-1974).

Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III will be making his post-Vice Presidential plans by practicing law in Washington, DC at the law firm of O'Connor and Hannan including serving as counsel to Csaplar and Bok in Boston, Massachusetts; reports circulate that he and outgoing Second Lady Anne Fleming Brooke along with their son, Edward William Brooke, IV., plan on residing in their Watergate apartment in Washington, DC; hilltop villa on Saint Martin Island and their sweeping farm in Virginia.

Closing Out America is For Lovers
Monday, January 19, 1981
Executive Residence, White House
Washington, DC.​

Holton's final approval rating by Gallup on 25 December 1980 was 71%, the highest job approval rating, officially closing out his Presidency despite some ups and down during his twenty-three months in office in a two year period, he would finish a Presidency of two and a half years. But in the closing weeks of his Presidency, Holton was fairly chipper and energized. He was obviously eager to leave Washington, DC., and return home to the Commonwealth of Virginia to start pondering the next chapter; Jinks, for her part, was making plans on doing philanthropic work around education and civil rights. His Cabinet Secretaries were excited to be looking ahead too; though few of them would be serving in any official roles in the incoming Reagan administration; there was also political comebacks (as was the case for outgoing US Secretary of the Interior Cecil Andrus, who was likely returning to the Idaho Governorship by winning third and fourth terms in 1986 and 1990, totaling 14 years in office overall); corporate boards, think tanks and political organizations were waiting for them to exploring the next chapter and with Holton's exit, it marked the end of the Rockefeller/Holton Era and the beginning of staunch Conservatism with Reagan and Bush; And the continuing dominance of the Republican Party controlling the White House, which continued for 24 years until 1993, when a newer generation of Blue Dog Democrats waiting in the wings for their opportunity finally won the Presidency in 1992 for the first time since 1964, leading to the inauguration of America's 43rd President.

The final holidays in the White House were peaceful for the Holton's, spent with Jinks, their four children and grandchildren for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He continued working non-stop on trying to find diplomatic solutions of resolving the agonizing Nicaraguan Hostage Crisis which dragged on until the moment Reagan took the oath of office as the 41st President on 20 January 1981. The moving trucks were on Pennsylvania Avenue and he already had most of his personal belongings and effects back in Virginia during the Christmas holiday break. His final night was in the Lincoln Bedroom on the evening of January 19th with his beloved Jinks, staring at the ceiling, Jinks asked "What are you thinking about?" Linwood only thought of one thing: "Tomorrow when we're back in the Commonwealth of Virginia!"

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Abner Linwood Holton, Jr., (September 21, 1923-October 28, 2021), was an American politician and attorney, who served as the 40th President of the United States from 1979 to 1981. He previously served as the 61st Governor of Virginia from 1970 to 1974, being the first Republican elected to the Virginia governorship in the 20th Century since Reconstruction and also served as the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford (1974-1975), and was appointed as the 42nd Vice President of the United States in 1975, Holton was overwhelmingly elected to a full four-year term in 1976. Upon the sudden death of President Nelson Rockefeller on January 26, 1979, Holton ascended to the Presidency, becoming the 40th President of the United States finishing out the remainder of Rockefeller's term. Despite the abolishment of the 22nd Amendment and passage of the Stability of American Government Act in 1978 which was signed into law by then-President Rockefeller, Holton was eligible for full terms in 1980, 1984 and possibly 1988, but he decided not to seek a full four-year term in his own right in 1980 and was succeeded by fellow Republican former California Governor Ronald Reagan on January 20, 1981.

Like his governorship in Virginia, Holton's Presidency was staunchly supporting civil rights, integration, and public investment; he continued majority of Rockefeller's policies and pursued major domestic, economic and international policies as well as foreign policy and national defense during his administration. In response to the high cost of energy in the 1970s, Holton signed the Energy Policy Act of 1979 which poured billions of dollars into the completion of nuclear infrastructure, improving transmission lines; enhancing domestic oil and gas production, a piece of legislation which some presidential historians regarded as one of the greatest triumphs of the Holton administration.

His presidency was also marked by the Three Mile Island accident; the Nicaraguan Revolution that ousted Nicaraguan President Anastacio Somoza and his family from power; 1979-81 Nicaraguan Hostage Crisis; 1979 Energy Crisis; Soviet invasion of Afghanistan; the assassination of Republic of Korea President Park Chung-hee on 26 October 1979 by the KCIA; joined in coordinating with Chilean President Captain General Augusto Pinochet in awarding the 1980 Summer Olympics to Santiago.

After leaving office, Holton supported moderate Republicans, including United States Senator John Warner of Virginia. As the Virginia Republican Party was growing increasingly more conservative, however, Holton found himself more in line with the Virginia Democratic Party and endorsed several Democrats for statewide office including his son-in-law, current United States Senator Tim Kaine; Holton also endorsed then-United States Senator Barack Obama of Illinois in the 2008 Presidential election. Holton died of natural causes at his home in Kilmarnock, Virginia on 28 October 2021 at the age of 98, leaving his mark as the nation's oldest-living former President (having surpassed the record on 30 November 2018 following the death of former President George HW Bush). Following State Funeral services in Richmond, Virginia and Washington, DC., Holton was laid to rest with full military honors on 13 November 2021 at Arlington National Cemetery, making him the third US President since Presidents William Howard Taft and John Fitzgerald Kennedy to be buried there.

At the time of his death, Holton was the last surviving former President who had served in World War II; part of the Greatest Generation.

Linwood Holton

40th President of the United States
In office
January 26, 1979-January 20, 1981
Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III
Preceded by Nelson Rockefeller
Succeeded by Ronald Reagan

42nd Vice President of the United States
In office
October 20, 1975-January 26, 1979
President Nelson Rockefeller
Preceded by Nelson Rockefeller
Succeeded by Edward W. Brooke, III

United States Assistant Secretary of State
for Legislative Affairs
In office
February 28, 1974-January 31, 1975
President Richard Nixon (1974)
Gerald Ford (1974-75)
Preceded by Marshall Wright
Succeeded by Robert J. McCloskey

61st Governor of Virginia
In office
January 17, 1970-January 12, 1974
Lieutenant Sargeant Reynolds
Henry Howell
Preceded by Mills Godwin
Succeeded by Mills Godwin
**********Personal Details***************
Born September 28, 1923
Big Stone Gap, Virginia, US
Died October 28, 2021 (aged 98)
Kilmarnock, Virginia, US
Resting Place Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia
Spouse Jinks Rogers (m. 1953)
Children 4 including Anne; Woody; Dwight
Alma mater Washington and Lee University (BS)
Harvard University (LLB)
******Military Service******
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Navy
Years of Service 1942-1969
Rank Captain
Battles World War II
Korean War

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 11 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC
January 20, 1981: Inauguration of Ronald Wilson Reagan as the 41st President of the United States

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

@Ibanez @The Immortal Watch Dog @Buba @bintananth
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Coming up sometime during the weekend I will be working on Chapter 11 of the American Republic. Here's an outlined sketch of the upcoming installments:
*Inauguration Day: January 20, 1981
(Spoiler Alert: It will be very LONG LOL)
*National and International Headlines: Spring 1981
*Personal PoV's
*Highlights of the Reagan administration's first 100 days
*Entertainment Highlights: This will likely take awhile to get finished.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Chapter 11: Final hours of the Holton Presidency
5:57 AM EST, Tuesday, January 20, 1981
Oval Office, White House
Washington, DC

​

Linwood Holton entered inside the Oval Office for the final time as the 40th President of the United States. Paintings and photographs which marked his time inside this room were already gone. The portrait of Thomas Jefferson which had hung over the fireplace had already been moved. Personal photographs of Jinks; of Anne; of Tayloe; of Woody and of Dwight, had been packed away for his return flight to Richmond.

Looking at the Resolute Desk, Holton reminisced about several key international events marking his two years in office: the death of Reza Mohammed Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran on 12 March 1979; explosive Nicaraguan Revolution that ousted longtime Nicaraguan President Anastacio Somoza Debayle; Nicaraguan Hostage Crisis; Assassination of Republic of Korea President Park Chung-hee on 26 October 1979; attending the 1980 Summer Olympics in Santiago, Chile; Inflation Crisis; Debates over the federal budget government shutdown; US Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan explosive hostage crisis.

As Holton took a deep breath, he began working on a huge stack of papers that were sitting on the desk. Among the huge stack of papers: Pardons and commutions of prison sentences; he analyzed each of the proposed pardons and signed at nearly all of them.

Holton was reading intently the US Justice Department recommendations of pardons: several of whom included several politicians, celebrities and sports figures. Thinking, debating and analyzing each of these as well, leading Holton to pardon them as well.

As the sun began to shine through the windows during the early morning hours of January 20th, Holton had deep reflections: his regrets about missed opportunities of his Presidency such as the failed attempts of getting the Martin Luther King Jr Day Holiday passed, which failed in the United States Senate due to staunch opposition from Southern Democrats and conservative Republicans, who felt the holiday would cost too much money in light of the ongoing economic crisis.

Another reflection of Holton's regrets: naively ignoring the explosive Nicaraguan Hostage Crisis where 25 Americans were sadistically killed in broad daylight during mock trials by the Sandidistas, who ran the Nicaraguan government. Despite an earlier attempt of rescue missions in getting the hostages out, the attempted rescue mission in the Fall of 1979 ended badly, which caused anger and backlash from the American people.

White House Chief of Staff Ann C. Whitman entered the Oval Office and informed President Holton new updates regarding the Nicaraguan Hostage Crisis: "Mr. President, there's new developments in getting the hostages out of Nicaragua." Holton looked up and said, "Now that's wonderful, let me know when Vice President Brooke and Secretaries Wilson and Tower arrive because this new development could be very huge."

Inside the Executive Residence, Jinks Holton was debating on wearing the white and black adorned coated dress that she had worn 11 years earlier when she became First Lady of Virginia upon her husband's inauguration as Governor of Virginia. She and Linwood had ate breakfast earlier inside the private quarters of the White House on the 3rd floor before Linwood went downstairs to work on last minute negotiations regarding the Nicaraguan Hostage Crisis.

After signing the final pardon and commutation, knowing full well about the political headache this was due to cause for his incoming successor, Linwood capped his pen tightly, placing it inside his jacket and rose from the Resolute Desk. With his hands in his pockets, he looked around the room, knowing it was time to go.

He neared the door that would take him along the walkway, beside the Rose Garden and to the Residence. Jinks was getting dressed to attend the inauguration because she and Linwood were expecting to welcome the Reagan's in a few hours.

Abner Linwood "Lin" Holton, Jr., knew it was time to go, but even he couldn't grasp the political ramifications of his shocking decision on June 25, 1979 when he announced his bombshell decision of not seeking a full four-year term as President in 1980. His fiscal restraint, aggressiveness of supporting tough-on-crime measures, supporting law enforcement including strong preference of diplomacy in solving international conflicts made out of all the things possible, long-awaited peace in the Middle East between Egypt and Israel although some of their neighbors were scheming to cause trouble, which was going to become problematic for incoming President Reagan.

So Linwood looked once more at the Oval Office, closing his eyes and breathing in deeply inhailing two transformative, hectic and somewhat chaotic years in the most powerful office he had inherited following the shocking sudden death of his massively popular predecessor, Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller on January 26, 1979. Two years of foreign policy hotspots; budget negotiations; bill signings; television addresses and all of the rest; Linwood slowly exhaled before closing the door behind him.

Linwood personally thanked all members of the White House Staff including the butlers, maids, cooks, janitors, personnel employees for welcoming him and his family to the White House; he also gave several of them personal momentos and books.

The time was 7:45 AM when Linwood got dressed wearing a three-piece suit, holding Jinks' hand walking down the stairs as they talked about their retirement plans; Reminiscing about the memories of their time living in the White House, Linwood and Jinks looked at the East Room before walking away for the final time, Whitman entered and said "Mr. President, Mrs. Holton: Vice President and Second Lady Brooke are along with Secretary Wilson and Secretary Tower." Apparently, Linwood decided to do one final negotiating attempt of freeing the American hostages out of Nicaragua.

While Jinks talked to Anne about retirement plans, Linwood was inside the Oval Office once more, desperately working the phones to getting the hostages (US Embassy personnel employees) released from Nicaraguan custody; annoyed with the constant slow-walking by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and the Sandidistas, Secretary Wilson cussed out Ortega on the phone "Would you please stop fucking us around with your dumbass slow-walking bullshit?" Wilson threatened Ortega and his associates with nuclear retaliation.

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 11 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Installments on Inauguration Day

 

[Sergeant Foley]

The 49th Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies
Tuesday, January 20, 1981
US Capitol West Front Grounds
Washington, DC

Ronald Wilson Reagan
as the 41st President of the United States
and

George Herbert Walker Bush
as the 44th Vice President of the United States

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
*United States Senator Mark Hatfield (R-OR): Chairman
*United States Senator Howard H. Baker (R-TN)
*United States Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)
*United States Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI)
*US Rep. John J. Rhodes (R-AZ)
*US Rep. Robert H. Michel (R-IL)
*US House Speaker Thomas P. O'Neill (D-MA)
*US Rep. Jim Wright (D-TX)
​

COMING UP THIS WEEK IN CHAPTER 11 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: The following Installments
* Inauguration Day Highlights
*Reagan sworn in as the 41st President of the United States.
*The Holton's and Brooke's leave the US Capitol West Front Grounds and head to Andrews Air Force Base for the farewell ceremony.
*Inaugural Luncheon and news of the hostages released from Nicaragua.
*Highlights of the Inaugural Parade.
*Personal PoV's