I'm not here to put a positive spin on what has happened this past year:
1) Neo-imperialists and self righteous authoritarian moralists got a stronger grip on our federal government.
2) Torture is practiced by our government.
3) Thousands of Iraqi civilians and US soldiers have been killed in an illegal, botched war.
4) Pharmaceutical companies have officially taken over the FDA, resulting in the deaths and injuries of thousands of people.
5) Genocide is taking place in the Sudan and nothing is being done (the number of civilians killed there is being counted, but not the number in Iraq... hmmmm.)
6) The public forests in the West have been handed over to the timber companies for pennies on the dollar.
7) The gap between the rich and the poor grew (holiday sales at stores like Tiffany's and Sak's Fifth Avenue hit all time highs, while Wal-Mart reported flat sales.)
8) International animosity towards the United States is at an all time high.
9) The continued denial of global warming by US leaders.
10) The ongoing problem of bad journalism coming out of US newsrooms.
And last, and certainly not least,
The horrific Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.
If we all double our efforts and work harder at making the nation and this world a better place, perhaps 2005 might be better. Let's reach out as far as we possibly can: Keep blogging, going to meetings, talking to our relatives, writing letters, getting to know our representatives at the local, state and national levels, contributing money, volunteering, holding house parties, running for office (we'll support you), and learning. We need to do these things until it hurts, and then keep doing them.
Happy New Year and all the best in 2005.
Hi, Sid. Yes, 2004 sucked! Here's to a better 2005!
(I keep telling myself it has to be better, since I was lucky enough to ring it in with you guys!)
Keep on keeping on!
:D
Posted by: Lana | January 05, 2005 at 11:40 PM