[Webstral]

The Joint Chiefs in Colorado Springs will be thinking along the lines that Olefin has outlined, I believe. I happen to agree that another significant loss of stability will kill more than 75% of the survivors for whom there is no food. Once the people who produce the food that can be produced start to become casualties in a major way, the entire carrying capacity of the (remains of) the civilization will enter a downward spiral with no end in sight. Although I am loath to take up a contrary position to so many of my respected compatriots, I must agree with Olefin that ending the drought in 2002 isn’t going to solve the problem. A single truly disastrous nationwide harvest in 2001 will bring down the United States. Whatever rises from the ashes in North America (since Canada and Mexico seem to be in on the rainfall problem) will not be the US, Canada, or Mexico. I strongly suspect that a drought that means famine for 75% of the survivors will mean death for 90-95% of the survivors. The population of the US could sink to levels not seen since the early 1800’s.

Of course, this line of thinking is driving the Joint Chiefs to an early grave. I think this is why the 2001-2002 period can make for such exciting adventuring for PCs. The US stands at a crossroads in early 2001. If there is a widespread disaster, the country may never recover. But IF the airship program can be put on a solid footing, IF the remaining Milgov cantonments can be reconnected, IF the necessary expertise and critical machinery can be delivered to the right places, and IF surpluses of food can free labor for industrialization and reconstruction before too many more of the experts die, then the US has a chance to arrest the downward spiral more-or-less permanently and enter a long, arduous upward spiral.

Because it’s not like the rest of the world isn’t doing its best to recover.