open thread commentary- 2006 in review

i think that this photo pretty much sums up the 'bush' presidency- don't you?








ahhh-- 2006. the year i started this blog. i think everyone who lived 2006 pretty much knows what happened- but i'll give it a go- it seems like a cathartic way to wipe the stain off that was 2006. hmmm....well, this year has seen war on almost every continent of the globe; the leaks that showed the american people just how far their civil rights had been stripped- warrantless wiretapping, fema camps, ice and dro, secret cia prisons, torturing prisoners, eavesdropping on blogs and other media, the fact that every facet of our lives belongs to someone, etc., etc. (google comes to mind) corruption and scandals plagued mostly the right- and we all have gotten to see the rampant bigotry, racism, misogyeny, religious intolerance, greed, and all out contempt that these people have for the common american. it suddenly became 'the norm' to lie to the media and get away with it. it became ok to call folks names and to hate other people because they looked different or lived a different life- and the media allowed it. but.....

other things happened in 2006 as well. just when things looked so bleak that we common folks couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel- some folks got mad. these folks decided to take back their country. they decided that herding up the katrina folks into camps and not giving the gulf the money and supplies they needed wasn't going to cut it. they decided that the war in iraq needs to be stopped and our nation run by folks who are going to have a big job cleaning up the mess made- from our image around the world being tarnished- to outright war crimes and other crimes. these folks decided that the 'people' running the country need to be held accountable for their behaviors and any crimes or ethics violations they have incurred. these folks started getting involved in their communities. then they got involved in their states. then they started taking on the federal boys and girls through voter fraud and voting machine snafus they prevailed. the gulf started getting rebuilt. folks around the country got involved and our red and blue country started turning purple again. through it all- floods, fires, elections, divisions, etc., americans decided to reach out and start working together- no thanks to the radical folks who are still working on their own agenda.

i won't get started on religion- i will suffice to say that the real christians in america are slowly starting to realize that they need to take their religion back from the likes of the dobsons and the falwells and the robertsons. they have awoken to the fact that they supported an agenda that has been contrary to the teachings of their god and his alleged son. the message of hope and peace that jesus of nazareth preached has been taken over by a message of intolerance, war, bigotry and hatred. but- these folks will prevail. recently, the pope stressed the need for god- and not the reliance on technology and the like. again, i don't agree- but at least he reached out to try and end the strife between catholics and muslims. he made the attempt to bridge the gap. that is more than i can say for robertson who called for the assassination of a world leader. 'nuff said.

we have opportunities this upcoming year to make a positive difference in our lives; our country, and the world. it is going to be another uphill climb- and we will have to stay on top of everything that we can. but--we have compassion and determination on our side- and our numbers are growing. here's to 2007! i wish everyone a happy new year- and know that i would highlight every single blogger or community blog if i could. you all are special people and you all are the ones out there who have fomented for change. in your hands- and mine- is the power to continue the change. we can do it- if we continue to be honest; have integrity, and hold the folks we elected accountable. it is only when we are not vigilant that these folks get away with so much. thus endeth my 700th post!