Harry Parker, A Humble Farmer from Missouri

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker holds state visit to Norway
February 25, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker has departed on a state visit to Norway this morning, as President Ronald Reagan sends a message to Congress calling for their adherence to the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 and the agreement between the US and Norway on international fishery.

He is expected to meet with Prime Minister Gro Harlem Bruntland to discuss Congress' adherence to the agreement, hoping the Norwegian Parliament gets on board.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Vice President Parker meets with Norwegian PM, two MPs
February 26, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker has done a state visit to Norway. There, he stayed in cheap hotels and met with the country's Prime Minister, Gro Harlem Bruntland, with the two discussing the agreement between the US and Norway on international fishery. Two Members of Parliament from the Norwegian Labour Party were present in the meeting.

[Captain Chaos]

I'm running out of ideas

For someone who is running out of ideas, great job continuing this TL.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker visits El Salvador
March 3, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker has departed on a state visit to the war-torn Central American nation of El Salvador, just as Ronald Reagan says there's no need to send combat troops into the country.

According to anonymous White House officials, Parker will negotiate the sale of $5 million in weaponry and supplies to El Salvador's military government, which according to human rights groups is responsible for war crimes.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker meets with members of Salvadoran Junta
March 4, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker, who visited El Salvador today, has met with the members of the country's military junta, the Third Revolutionary Government.

The meeting was held behind closed doors and the room's walls prevented journalists from listening, but According to Parker, they discussed "military aid and the success of their [El Salvador's] offensive against the FMLN terrorists". The Vice President said an agreement had also been discussed, but did not specify which.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker says Atlanta child killers must be "executed"
March 5, 1981

As the Reagan Administration allocates $1 million to Atlanta in response to 21 black children who disappeared or were killed, Vice President Harry Parker (who played a key role in contributing the money) has caused controversy for saying the killers should receive the death penalty.

Parker made the controversial remarks when asked by a reporter on the issue:

"I am proud of working with the President to send this money. The disappearance and murder of these kids, whatever the reason, was absolutely horrifying, and I hope those responsible are executed with due process. There's a special place in Hell for people who harm children"

Associations such as the American Civil Liberties Union have strongly condemned Parker's remarks. The NAACP profusely denounced them, while conservatives have praised the Vice President.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker claims to be "proud" of his part in budget cuts
March 9, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker, who stood in the side of President Ronald Reagan when he signed a budget cuts package reducing spending in 500 government programs by $6.4 billion, has declared himself "proud" of his contribution to these cuts, while highlighting how Social Security and Medicare weren't reduced.

"I am proud of the role I played in these budget cuts. The federal government has gotten too large in the last fifty years, harming economic growth. Private charity and entrepreneurship are better in helping the poor than government handouts. The best social program is a job, and by the way, Social Security and Medicare weren't slashed – we have no plans to do so" Parker told journalists.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker gives a public statement in St. Patrick Day
March 16, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker, in tune with President Ronald Reagan, has given a statement for St. Patrick Day, where he thanked the Irish for their contributions to America, and called for an end to "bigotry and intolerance" and the conflict in Northern Ireland.

"Today, we need to thank the Irish and their descendants for their contributions to America and our society. America, the land of the free and home of the brave, welcomed hundreds of thousands of them when Ireland was affected by a grave famine. Irish-Americans produced a President and many artists and businessmen, with millions of them helping America get forward in one way or another. All bigotry and intolerance, regardless of perpetrator or target, must end, as should The Troubles" said Parker.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker visits Japan, calls on them to stop exporting automobiles
March 19, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker has visited Japan and called for them to cease its automobile exports, which according to Parker are "destroying" American manufacturing, just as the Reagan Administration prepares to send a a "mild signal" requesting Japan voluntarily do away with their automobile exports.

Parker has booked a meeting with the country's Prime Minister and the CEO of Toyota to discuss the damage to America's industry done by Japanese exports.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker has "inconclusive" meeting with Japanese PM
March 20, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker has met the Prime Minister of Japan, Zenko Suzuki, and the Chairman of Toyota, Eiji Toyoda, asking them to cease automobile exports to the US, which according to Parker are "killing" American manufacturing. The two refused, saying both the United and Japan stood to benefit from automobile trade.

The meeting lasted for three hours, and according to witnesses was serious and respectful, although Parker was unable to sway Suzuki and Toyoda.

The Vice President has flied back to America.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Parker, Bush, Reagan have a meeting about the Poland situation
March 23, 1981

Today, the three highest ranked members of the United States Government, President Ronald Reagan, Vice President Harry Parker, and Secretary of State George Bush, have met in the Oval Office to discuss the escalating political crisis in Poland.

The meeting was held behind closed doors, and the walls prevented anyone from hearing the conversation. However, Harry Parker explained the purpose of meeting, and said a propaganda campaign in support of the Solidarity union was agreed upon.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

I'm running out of ideas

For someone who is running out of ideas, great job continuing this TL.

Thanks! I'm looking forward for March 30th, when a big real event happens

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Vice President Parker becomes chair of crisis management team
March 24, 1981

White House Press Secretary James Brady has just reported that President Ronald Reagan has chosen Vice President Harry Parker to chair the Administration's Crisis management team; Parker subsequently confirmed the reports and said he was "proud" of chairing the committee.

"Yes, President Reagan named me chairman of the crisis management team. I am proud to serve in this role, and will tirelessly work with the President and his cabinet to get the economy roaring back out of stagflation."

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker says Soviet intervention in Poland would be "disastrous"
March 26, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker had warned the Soviet Union not to intervene in Poland, saying an invasion would be "disastrous" for humanity as the Reagan administration states the possible intervention of the Soviet Union in the upcoming labor strike in Poland.

When asked about the matter by reporters, Parker said:

"I hope the Soviets do not intervene. That would be disastrous for humanity, substantially increasing world tensions, and have dire consequences for all countries in the region, Russia included. I support the Polish people against the Bolshevik tyranny oppressing them"

The Soviet embassy in the US has called these remarks, especially the final sentence, "foolish"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker declares "full support" for Polish labor strike, says Polish government needs "substantial reforms"
March 27, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker has declared his "full support" for the strikes in the People's Republic of Poland, led by the anti-communist Solidarity Trade Union against the People's Republic of Poland, as Secretary of State Haig says there is a "very dangerous" situation in Poland, predicting the weekend may be important, and that the US is considering giving further aid to Poland during a breakfast with reporters. Parker also said the Polish government should be "substantially reformed"

During this breakfast, Parker said: "I fully support the strikes by these freedom fighters. A direct intervention in the country by any superpower would be disastrous, but we can all agree the Solidarity Trade Union is in the right side of the story, and the Communist government of Poland should be substantially reformed"

The Soviet Union has condemned this statement, as did some liberals.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker is "ready" to take office if needed following Reagan's assassination attempt
March 30, 1981

Today, President Ronald Reagan has suffered an assassination attempt following a meeting with AFL-CIO leaders. With the President in a hospital, Vice President Harry Parker has immediately flown to Washington DC, and said he is "ready" to take office if Reagan dies or resigns.

Parker gave a speech in the White House lawn:

"If the worst happens, I am ready to become President and continue President Reagan's work in serving the American people, while improving upon his goals and policies. I hope the President recovers, and that his assassin is held accountable"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker describes Reagan's health as "perfectly fine", praises dairy price bill
March 31, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker has described the health of President Ronald Reagan, who suffered an assassination attempt yesterday, as "perfectly fine" after a meeting between the two and three White House aides.

Parker told reporters:

"For a while after the assassination attempt, the President's health was awful, but now it's perfectly fine. As the most powerful man in the world, Reagan received adequate medical care, and has almost completely recovered. Also, he signed a bill supporting dairy price, which is going to make things easier for the average American"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker calls Illinois' handgun ban "blatant Second Amendment violation", calls for it to be nullified
April 1, 1981

Hours after the Illinois State Senate approved a bill outlawing handguns being sold or possessed, with offenders of the law being eligible to six years of prison if convicted in response to Ronald Reagan's assassination attempt, Vice President Harry Parker has called the bill a "blatant" violation of the Second Amendment, and said it must be nullified.

Parker held a press conference in the White House lawn to comment on the law, which has not taken effect yet:

"This bill is a blatant Second Amendment violation, and a step reeking of totalitarian regimes. I can understand an assault weapons ban, but why would any sane government ban HANDGUNS? There are better ways to prevent terrible incidents such as Reagan's assassination attempt. If this bill takes effect, it must be nullified, as in America, federal law trumps state law" said Parker, in the press conference which sent shockwaves through the political spectrum and was condemned by liberals.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker lambasts House of Representatives for rejecting Reagan Administration's budget proposal
April 7, 1981

After the House Budget Committee rejected the Reagan administration's budget proposal in favor of an alternative by Democrats with less spending on defense and more on social programs, Vice President Harry Parker criticized the committee for its "impetuous" decision, but hoped to work with the House on a new budget.

"The House Budget Committee committed an impetuous decision in rejecting this proposed budget, which would focus on entrepreneurship instead of handouts, thus substantially increasing the possibility of a government shutdown. But we respect those in the other side of the aisle, and are going to work with Congress on a new budget everyone can get behind"

The details of this budget haven't been publicized

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker reacts to Reagan being released from hospital: "God saved him"
April 11, 1981

As President Ronald Reagan, who suffered an assassination attempt on the 30th, is released from Washington University Hospital, Vice President Harry Parker rejoiced at the news, saying God "saved" Reagan from death.

"A madman obsessed with a woman unaware of his existence tried to kill our President, but as Mr. Reagan is a servant of God, He saved Ronald Reagan from death at the hands of a lunatic. We will continue to work together to benefit all Americans, Hinckley included" said Parker.

Some have perceived these remarks (especially the comments about John Hinckley Jr) to be a gaffe.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker meets with three Senators on budget
April 15, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker has meet with the three Republican US Senators who voted against the Reagan Administration's budget blueprint; William Armstrong of Colorado, Charles Grassley of Iowa, and Steven Symms of Idaho.

Details of the meeting have since been released. According to Parker, they agreed to vote for a new budget if it includes less cuts to farm subsidies and welfare programs, sometimes Parker is "fine" with.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Harry Parker meets with three Senators on budget
April 15, 1981

Vice President Harry Parker has meet with the three Republican US Senators who voted against the Reagan Administration's budget blueprint; William Armstrong of Colorado, Charles Grassley of Iowa, and Steven Symms of Idaho.

Details of the meeting have since been released. According to Parker, they agreed to vote for a new budget if it includes less cuts to farm subsidies and welfare programs, sometimes Parker is "fine" with.

Assume (big farm) cuts dead.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Parker declares his support for Mark Felt's pardon
April 16, 1981

One day after President Ronald Reagan pardoned FBI Agent and key player on Watergate W. Mark Felt, Vice President Harry Parker has declared his support for the decision, praising Felt's role in curtailing the Weather Underground.

Parker has said that even if Felt's actions against the Weathermen were illegal, "there's room for forgiveness many times".

"The President made the right decision in pardoning Felt. The way he dealt with the communist, literally Anti-American terrorists at Weather Underground was completely justified, and even if these actions were illegal, there's room for forgiveness many times. Not to mention his possible role as the man who ended Nixon's presidency – something I participated in" said Parker in a press conference.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Parker says fraud and waste in federal bureaucracy will be "curtailed"
April 17, 1981

As President Ronald Reagan promises to protect whistleblowers of the ongoing instances of fraud and waste in the federal bureaucracy, Vice President Harry Parker has praised the whistleblowers while saying the fraud and waste to be "curtailed".

Parker said so during a press conference in the White House lawn:

"These whistleblowers are absolutely right, but protecting them does not go far enough. Our Administration is going to do everything possible to curtail fraud and waste in the federal government, so it works in the most efficient manner possible. Fraud and waste have no place in a functional government"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Ronald Reagan presents budget before Congress
April 20, 1981

This morning, President Ronald Reagan has presented a federal budget proposal before the Senate and House of Representatives.

The proposed budget, unlike the previous one, contains no cuts to Medicaid, food stamps, farm subsidies or the Department of Education, although it increases the number of school vouchers in circulation.

Vice President Harry Parker reportedly had a large role in writing the budget.