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2065: A Forecast: A Historical Fiction, Author Unknown.

[Main Characters: Anacleto A. Busch-Hidalgo, Marisol Angulo Granados, Otto Busch Jones, Marcelino Angulo Castañeda, Rosario Granados de Burgos, Isabel Hidalgo Parasol]

CHAPTER 2:  Part #1 

I HAVE MADE the commitment to spend Sundays at my parents' home from now on. My father’s health was not great, and I wanted to be with him and mother more. Besides, I needed a good history teacher of the most recent events of the last 60 or 70 years. I’m taken 'Marisol’s History Hub' very seriously as it was, indeed 'a history hub' and I wanted to be well verse in the main theme of the shop: True History. ''Alright, what is your take on the book “ROGUE STATE: A Guide to the World’s Only Superpower”, dad?'' ''Well, son, at first, after I read it, I was skeptical, in other words, I agreed very little with Mr. Blum. However, as time went on and after readding it again and again, my disagreement diminished after the two invasions in the Middle East, to the point of agreeing with him pretty much. I had the opportunity to meet him in person and he was a very fine man, loved his country, the U.S., but not his leaders. His main concern was that most leaders were more interested in 'money and power' and they ruled guided by those two points. According to what he shared with me in person was that America always needed a good side enemy, communism was by all practically kaput and needed fast another 'big enemy' to be justified to the World. Well, terrorism became the 'big enemy' and the motto became war on terrorism, of which I discovered latter on that (GWOT) was the increasing of terror, to the point that the commander in-chief of the U.S. was called by some George 'War' Bush, the war of terror expanded under his command, and remember I was in the middle of it as a representative of the State Department, a high level diplomat in that area. Yeah, the U.S.A. became a 'Rogue State' and the one that doubled it down years after was the last president of the 'old election system', a man that was himself a convicted criminal, 34 times not less, that used the presidential office to extort everyone he could and threaten the entire world with everything imaginable in his power, from economic disaster to military might, meanwhile enriching himself and his family; really disgusting in every sense of the word.'' ''What was that business of the 'Deep State' that read so much about those days, dad?'' ''Pure 'baloney', Anacleto, if there was any 'Deep State' was himself: Trump!'' ''One question, dad, between parentheses: Why many of the things that I’m learning from you about recent History are not taught in schools and other places of academia?'' ''An excellent question, we will go over next weekend, together with the main reason of the 'The Market Crash of August 2026', my son, right now I’m exhausted.'' ''I understand, dad, I thank you for your efforts and I’ll see you next week if not earlier; now I’m going to say bye to mother.''

I read “ROGUE STATE: A Guide to the World’s Only Superpower”, first published January 1, 2000. It was an extraordinary reading, I would say 'exceptional' reading. I placed, ROGUE STATE, in a shelf shop for $595, and just below, in the movies shelf rack, I placed “American Made”, a film starring Tom Cruise & Sarah Wright Olsen, release on September 29, 2017. This film, ''American Made'', was one the gifs that Otto Busch Jones, my father, gave me and telling me to watch it at least two times and then decided if could put it for sale as moments in history or not. He also said to me that although is a Hollywood fiction, the plot in general seats in true History, you have to understand, my son, that the ones that constantly said, America is the most Exceptional Country in the History of Mankind were the professional politicians of all strips. The sales tag was $415 for the film. I added a bonus to these two History items, “ROGUE STATE” & “American Made”: Buy both for a mere price of $900!

BUSINESS was increasing and 'Marisol’s History Hub' was the talk of the town. Didn’t know exactly why, though Doña Rosario suspected why; according to her, clients asked about me, they wanted to meet me, to meet the husband of Marisol whom they admired because she brought a strong new interest to the subject of History. Thursdays she gave dissertations in person in the shop, which became a 'History Circle' and about anyone could participated, where questions were asked and were answer as best as possible and even some participants brought some knowledge to be presented. Most people knew that Marisol graduated as a Historian, but not all the History of the last five decades was exposed in schools and academia, so she did quite a lot of research on the matter, it was her passion. I was kind of embarrass for people interest in me, even though I had study history, but it was more of as a reporter which was my mayor, Journalism; I’m an introvert just like my father, not like my mother, Isabel Hidalgo Parasol, the great extrovert. Marisol was like her mother, Rosario Granados de Burgos, another great extrovert, contrary to her father, don Marcelino the Cellist, and a good one, a introvert. Both our families, Marisol’s and mine, Anacleto, were 'muy parecidas' in more ways than one, first and second generation of 'emigrantes': Otto Busch Jones: Germany (My Father); Isabel Hidalgo Parasol: Philippines (My Mother); Marcelino Angulo Castañeda and Rosario Granados de Burgos: Spain (Marisol’s Parents).

I got a phone call in the middle of the week from my father saying that he had prepare an special session Sunday to continue sharing some of the last half century history of our Nation but all in the order that happened and that affected all the people in 'America First', a preferred phrase according to him 40 years ago, and that also affected most of the World, again, for all the people, but that at time around for the good of all the people. Father asks me to get to his and mother’s home at 12, he wanted to start early, ''it will be a long Sunday of learning History. I also have a surprise for you, Anacleto'', and with that he ended the phone call.

 Part #2: From 2025 to…

 Sunday’s Date with History at my Parent’s home in the heart of Washington D. C. was at midday and indeed, dad had a surprise for me. Present was already the Mayor and his wife, Roy and Pamela, and it was a real pleasure to see him and to meet his wife for the first time. Dad had placed the drop leaf square to round table that he always has somewhere in 'una esquina' of his study in the middle of the room, his office when he was back home from some Embassy somewhere in the World.  He had placed five countable chairs around and all was ready, including five notebooks, not small though, with a pen and pencil with eraser; that was Dad way, always meticulous in every detail including having the ladies present, they have a say or two when it comes to History, he always said.  After the greetings and small chat, we all sat at the round table. My father loved the 'Round Table', for him had a significant value: To promote coequality among the seated. It was a good side table for at least eight persons seating comfortable. We were five, plenty room for two more. I was thinking of Marisol’s parents. Marcelino had a longing look when I mentioned to him our 'Date with History' like he would like to participate at it. ''You wouldn’t be interested Marcelino, it’ll take time from your Cello practice?'', he smiled at me knowing that I was 'bromeando', ''You know I have all the time in the world to practice, I’m semi-retire, and yes I’ll like to be there, as long Rosario come along, you know Anacleto that what Marisol was interested in we are too. That keeps our memories of her much closer to us.'' I liked that, boy don’t I like those words!

''Anybody has a question, and by the way, do feel everyone at home. Anybody has a proposition of commentary; or what about on what we really want to achieve with the, hopefully it’ll be repeated, Sunday’s 'Date with History' amigos?'' ''Well dad, I…'' ''Sorry, Anacleto, we are all equals here. We all will be learning from one another, so son, call me Otto, I call you by your given name, Anacleto, please.'' ''I’m with you dad…, sorry, Otto, indeed I have two: Marcelino and Rosario would like to participate too. Second, I brought this book: “Un Mundo Sin Miedo”, and I thought that actually History should have had always as its aim the name of this book that in English means literally: “A World Without Fear” by Baltasar Garzón, first published January 1, 2005. I would like to read aloud what this book is all about, writhe by one of the best jurists in Europe of the that era in honor of my wife Marisol that departed not long ago and too soon creating an immense sorrow in me and her parents and many of those that knew her. I have here also ten paper copies of what I’ll be reading to follow for those that are not proficient in Spanish, but all are welcome to have one of the copies and keep them. Also I brought a voice recorder, never forget that I’m a 'reporter', manly to record our sessions in case in the future some of us present would like to share what we discuss with others, also for transparency, being 'transparency one of the most important things to always consider when it comes to the telling or recording History in every form and shape', and I’m quoting Marisol, a Cum Laude in history, which in her own words meant nothing, confessing that she learned most of History by doing her own research, including the memories of people that still alive, when possible, of the History periods she was interested at a particular time, undoubtedly the 'last half a century' ago was her predilect interest in History. Having said all that, I wait for all of you to confirm what I have propose, any objection is welcome.'' There were no objections, so Otto opened the first Date with History of our little History group forofos'.'' ''You have la 'venia', Anacleto, to open our very first session of a 'Date with History', - I heard dad declare -.''

''Thank you all, - I said -, today is the last week of October 2029, one week away from the General Elections including that of President, November 5: In honor of Marisol that inspired this little group without pretensions of being an authority in the matter, History. An excerpt in a capsule of the context of the book “Un Mundo Sin Miedo/A World Without Fear” by Baltasar Garzón, January 1, 2005: 'El juez Baltasar Garzon rompe su silencio y, en forma de reflexión o dialogo con sus hijos, nos cuenta lo que han sido sus diecisiete anos de lucha contra el terrorismo, el crimen organizado y la impunidad. Este libro, plagado de experiencias, con informaciones inéditas, transpira la emoción de un hombre que ha sacrificado su vida familiar y social, que ha sufrido el hostigamiento y la calumnia, y ha vivido muy de cerca el dolor de las victimas, por el cumplimiento de un deber sagrado: que se haga justicia. Es, además, el ideario de un hombre que lucha por un mundo mejor, con menores desigualdades sociales, en el que la impunidad por los delitos sea desterrada, en el que ni los poderosos ni el Estado puedan secuestrar la ley para sus fines particulares. Y también una llamada a los indiferentes, a quienes invita a entrar en acción y a mantener un espíritu critico respecto de la política y los medios de comunicación. Se trata, pues, de la obra de un hombre practico que muestra, desde su vision de juez y de ciudadano, algunas vias para pasar del miedo a la esperanza y conseguir dar forma a un mundo sin miedo.' –Editorial form one of the leading Newspapers in Spain at that moment: “Valiente ajuste de cuentas con quienes se amparan bajo la libertad de expresión para hacer negocios, extorsionar a las instituciones, injuriar impunemente al prójimo y satisfacer ambiciones personales.” –El País-

''I’m very familiar with the name of Baltasar Garzón, a great man, -said my father- I was 'en un lugar del  Middle East at an Embassy, de cuyo nombre no quiero acordarme' when George War Butcher, as he was known back then, invaded Iraq, just a couple years after invading Afghanistan to punish the whole Nation for what a bunch of individuals had done in the U.S.: September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in Manhattan were destroyed as a result of a terrorist attack. The very sad part was that there was never conclusive evident that the accused of masterminded it were the main culprits and responsible for that horrible mass murder of September 11, 2001, a must heinous crime, only comparable to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.'' ''I am not familiar with this book, “Un Mundo Sin Miedo/A World Without Fear”, though I saw it inside the display cabinet at 'Marisol’s History Hub' but without a sale price.'' 

''Precisely it is found in the 'showcase', Roy, because is not for sale, unless we find another one of the same, together with other Historic items.'' ''Well, Anacleto, I followed your reading with one copies of the translation to English that you did and I would like to borrow it. My Spanish is not as proficient as yours, all of you present except my wife Pamela, but I think I could manage well: Can I borrowed it, you all know that my term at the helm of City Hall ends next year, January 20, 2060, and I’m back at my teaching post to 'High Schoolers' and it will enhance my knowledge of History somehow. I’m sure you know the old saying, 'book lent, book lost', nonetheless, they all are witnesses, and I place a deposit of one thousand dollars to 'Marisol’s History Hub' and can keep if I don’t returned it in two months' time and another one thousand dollars if I returned it damage in any form of shape, how about that?'' ''I yield, Roy, you can borrow it for two months, and no need for a deposit, I do trust you implicitly, besides, no limits in teaching the young generation about true History so bad things aren’t repeated over and over again.'' ''Amen to that, and since we are at it, why don’t we go over, first of all, let us remember we are recording, voice recording all, the reasons or main reason schools in general are poorly provided in History and its ramifications –Otto said- , so let us vote for the initiative of discussing the matter: The Shortness of History in our School System and Academia.'' We all agreed to the proposition. ''Why don’t you commence –voiced Pamela- Otto?'' ''Alright 'compañeros': The State of History in our School System and Academia has been always endemic and I always pointed to that fact true my Diplomatic Career to not avail everywhere I went, mainly at home here in our Country. I always emphasize that education was the most important thing in a civilized society and without it cannot survive. That the most important 'Resource of a Nation Was Its People' and the rest came in second, placing History not in second term but first, primordial, fundamentally at the head of Academics together with math, writing and reading and if all possible to learn a second language. One of the most 'infamous phrases' was uttered in person by the last president of the 'Old Election System' in Las Vegas, State of Nevada on February 24, 2016: 'I Love the Poorly Educated'! Now, if that doesn’t tell you all 'The rest of the Story' I don’t know what else would do it!''

''One of the 'cañonadas/cannonades' -commenced Roy after lifting his right hand- , that’s how it came up being known the countless 'executive disorders signed' by the 47th, also known as 'Vicious Bad Hombre', the last 'presidente of the corrupted old election system' in the first three months of his second…, well, half second term, and I know all that very well because I’m part of the Education System now, was the signing of the 'executive disorder' stating the 'gutting' of the Department of Education and that was done March20, 2025. Needles to say that that produced an immediate uproar all over the Nation by most people, estimated 90%, but curiously by only 55% of the total of politicians. Needless to say that only took 3 years for the whole the politicians to be 'gutted for good', and never better said: They were all gone with the wind, and done it by 'We People', the very first time that the 'Will of the People' was legally implemented 100% in the 250 years of history: Government of the people, by the people, for the people! I guess that the old saying was, and still 'vigente/current': You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time!''

''Concerning History in the Class Room –continue Roy- the Central Government, it was done away with the Federal Government as you all know, it is slow but wise: Every item of History and whatnot, the whole spectrum is well study and analyzed, examined, forgive the redundancy but is very important to the overall good results, because we do not want to commit the same mistakes or fouls, most of it was corrupted and delivered by the 'Status Quo' when it came to the Old Corrupt System of Education in the History Department. We want as a Civilize Society a clean, precise and truthful account of Historical events. We will not accept half truths, alternative facts, conspiracies, toxic or otherwise painted white out brushed for the purpose of covering hideous blunders by the so called leaders of the World, a dark World full of fears, misery, hunger, persecution, retribution in full angry mode and whatnot. I admit that is been a slow process, but remember 'The Hare & the Tortoise' story. Also remember that 'historians' back them were under the payroll of the 'Status Quo' and they have to comply 'con los deseos de los grandes señores', there was very few 'true historians', most likely could have been counted 'con los dedos de la mano', amigos. That is why is so important to include true people’s experience like we are doing here, right now, to a full count of true History.''

''Was the 'Implosion if the Internet' or whatever was called, and the consequent evaporation of 'The Cloud' Worldwide has to do with the 'Slow Pace' of restoring History in our school classes and Libraries –I asked- without interrupting the good flow of our History Session?'' ''Well, in a way yes, but our slowness has to do more with true History not with whatever someone wants to dump as true History. We don’t want those, if there are any, to sneak malverse where we all needed in History now and always: Honesty and not marlversation of facts!'' ''All excellent points –said Otto- but let us follow a chronology of Historic event, 'The Economy Crash of 2026' happened before the 'Internet Crash or Implosion' as was also known, even others said that the Cyberspace wasn’t a Crash or a Implosion that it was a concerted Massive Cyber Attack, the question is: By whom, by AI, and since it is known as Cyberspace, could it have been by some Entity far in our vast Space or from other Universe? I think we will never know and that’s fine with me. So next subject should be 'The Economy Crash of 2026' in 'America First' and followed by a Worldwide second, though the Worldwide took almost a year to appear and was milder, the brunt of it was felt in America First brutally.''

''I read somewhere some years ago about –said Pamela, Roy’s wife that was quite involved in our history discussions – an extensive study on this British historian, Edward Gibbon. In it, the extensive study, it was found, and it has been proven, that he, Edward Gibbon, was a big-time liar, what do you know about it, Otto?'' ''Well -Otto answered-, May 324 AD was the pivotal year, and the by-product was 'The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'. From then on Christianity was impose not propose.  In a History Capsule: If this man, Edward Gibbon, would have concentrated in that true fact he could have written that period of History in one single page. Another thing about the true first Roman Pope was: Constantine I was the first 'Colonialist' with religious emphasis, Christianity in this very first case, Constantinople and its Byzantine Empire, today known by Türkiye, again it seemed like 'les salió el tiro por la culata' in the long term. It was a folly, a folly that people, millions of people paid for it. Colonial prosperity was a by-product of poverty created by colonialism. Curiously, some 'religious zealots' try a revival here at home from 2017-2026 with a malevolent project: Project 2025: The going back to the dark ages where they were masters! Imposing Christianity continued with that 'quasi-religious bizness of freedom of religion' but without Freedom from Religion. Again: 'les salió el tiro por la culata', and if that wasn’t a blessing I don’t know what is! But all of this is a long story and we are digressing from our next subject, 'The Economy Crash of 2026', thought it was a good question, Pamela, and we all thank you for it, to which we will come back in due time. Having gone through all that we have, what don’t we finish our session for the day. Till next Sunday same time: Theme that we will go over first thing in the morning, 'The Economy Crash of 2026', let us all do some research on it. And now time to have some tapas that dear Isabel has prepared for all of us with some 'Vino de la Rioja' to wash down the food, amigos!''

TIME flies, regardless, I thought, while the three of us were walking up the road to my parents' home, Marisol’s parents and me. It was Sunday again. It seemed like the past Sunday was a couple days ago, but it was not, it had passed seven whole days. Actually, I kept on thinking that is us who passes through time, slowly but surely. Doña Rosario has got up early in the morning to make a 'Paella de Mariscos' which Sr. Marcelino and I carried very carefully while she carried Chico. Chico loved to be among people, five days a week spending hours in the shop and rubbing clients’ legs as a welcome sign, so we asked my parents if it was fine to bring Marisol’s Cat along and the answer was a resounding yes. It was just a few blocks so it was not a big deal. Today I was somehow expectant because our main topic was 'The Economy Crash of 2026', the zenith to the end of the 'Late World Economic System', known also at the time as the 'Criminal and Brutal British/American Global Financial System'. [To be continued]