On multiple fronts, the passing year 2005 fell far short of hopes and expectations for many Americans.
Bush’s war on the world drags on with Iraq being the killing field. Almost 2,200 innocent young Americans have been sacrificed. Over 200 more casualties from the UK and other coalition countries. Plus over 30,000 Iraquis, civilian and security forces. Why? We still do not understand the purpose, despite the tired lies and rhetoric continuing to spew forth from the White House.
The economy, while seemingly robust in some sectors, has been damaged, perhaps beyond repair, by the movement of American jobs to foreign soil. How many hundreds of thousands of us must be displaced before someone wakes up and realizes that the US job market is in shambles as a result. The economy will not be far behind as it morphs into clearly demarcated haves (the few who own it all) and havenots (the masses of millions who are out of work and cannot find jobs. There is, for practical purposes, an almost infinite supply of job-seekers, while the service-based industries have a finite number of jobs available.
Our entire Administrative branch of government has become a mockery, here and abroad, for the lying, deceit, and shirking of responsibilites. Some heads have rolled and doubtless others will fall before it is done. It may be too little, too late, as we have already lost our position as the respected leader of the free world.
Natural disasters devastated parts of our country and our planet. The American people rose up to give many millions from their own pockets, their time, and their abilities to help in the rebuilding process. Washington showed nothing but irritation that the Federal Government was expected to respond.
The virtual merger of church and state has gone without a serious challenge. Where is the outrage that the US Congress should have? Where is the organized outrage that should be coming from the States? Where is the Supreme Court?
Bush has openly mocked the Constitution, telling people around him not to wave it in his face because it is “just a piece of paper.” Who the hell does he think he is?
Congress decided this year to spend an inordinate amount of time and energy focusing on use of steroids in sports and other sports related issues while our country goes to hell in a hand-basket due to far more serious issues.
Fortunately, on the personal level there were a few good events and feel-good moments this year.
My business has sustained itself for another year (16 now), unlike so many others that have blown away with the wind. Lost a few customers, gained a few others. Overall a good year. Not a great year, but a good year.
Winston Rand started a weblog. The fact that this is close to if not the top of my own personal positives for the year speaks volumes about the rest of my life.
The friends and relationships I have developed while blogging these past few months have become quite special. A comment or email from one of my online buds is everybit as welcome as a contact from family, friends, and business associates. Thanks to all of you from the bottom of my heart! You have made this a most gratifying experience for me!
Um, shouldn’t you be in the shower preparing to go out for a romantic dinner?
Happy New Year!
Happy happy new year, and may 2006 be better on the civic/political front! At least we bloggers have each other.
Happy new year to you and I’m with you– here’s to a far better 2006. Upward and onward as a friend of mine says!
At least 10% of the Alaskan slope is yet again free from drilling…
I agree Winston…goodbye to 2005, a year that was not a good one for me personally. I’m looking forward to a happier and more positive 2006. I have a lot to be grateful for; and it sounds like you do too Winston. Stay well and wonderful….
yep, a pretty unremarkable year. I was pulling out of a tim horton’s (a coffee place here in canada) last night about six thirty. The streets were sort of empty. And I thought - it’s New Years Eve. I went for a walk with my kid through the donwtown last night and there were very few people about. There were fireworks scheduled for ten o’clcok. BUT…it was a decidedly unfestive mood. I thought maybe it was just me. My little circle of friends. Now I’m wodenring. Years from now it’ll be, “remember 2005?” “No, not really.” A year to forget. Forgotten now, Plow on. Have a happy one nonetheless.
Here’s a question. How many innocent people died in Iraq under Saddam Hussein’s regime? That seems to be ignored or forgotten by a lot of critics of the Iraq war.
Paul - hardly forgotten, but that should never be used as a justification for our continued occupation of Iraq and the associated mounting death toll. Even when we are finally gone, they will continue killing each other and there is precious little that we or anyone else can do about it.
Very impressive web layout. I totally agree, in my humble opinion. Keep the information flowing.I will spread the good word.
[...] Posted by Winston on 31 Dec 2006 at 05:34 pm | Tagged as: Realities While private messaging JohnB of Blog Meridian, I started down a trail of thought that immediately felt like a year-end post. You know, one of those Goodbye 2006, Hello 2007 epistles. One of the first things I did was take a look at what I had said one year earlier as 2005 was disappearing. That post was titled Goodbye, Good Riddance, 2005…, which accurately sums my feelings and emotions one year ago today. [...]