Friday, December 29, 2006

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!

15 comments:

Carol Gee said...

SEVEN HUNDRED for which you deserve congratulations! You are a thoughtful and yet spontaneous writer. You views are passionate and consistent.
As one of your regular readers I have good wishes for your well-being and success in the year 2007. I don't know about you, but it feels to me like a fresh start.

DivaJood said...

Betmo, I wonder: who will clean up the USA since we've become a haven for Neocon Extremists?

Happy New Year, let's hope that 2007 will be the year of Impeachment.

Anonymous said...

Congrats, betmo..that's alot of thinking and hard work!!
Here's to the next 700!!
and by the way, we just passed 100 members at our site, after only 6 months!

Spadoman said...

Great job Betmo! You are the best!
Congratulations!
More later from me on this open thread.

billie said...

thanks for the kind words my friends. diva, haven't got any bright ideas about how to clean up the neocons- i guess i hope that some of the older ones start dying off. glenda, to you and all of the folks at the peace train- congrats on 100 new members- may there be 1,000 more!!! i am expecting some words of wisdom from you speedoman!!!

Obob said...

let me get some sleep to read your usual quality posts ... if i do miss a reply please know:
I may disagree with you often, but please keep up the fight, without civil turmoil democracy dies a pathetic death

msliberty said...

Congratulations on your 700th posting, Betmo!

Here's looking forward to 700 more in 2007!

Anonymous said...

That's a great 700th post, betmo, but all the evidence suggests that nothing will change anything more than superficially.

jams o donnell said...

700 posts? Wow that is an amazing output (I couldn't even manage 500 in a similar period!). Congratulations Betmo, you have one of the best blogs around. I look forward to hundreds more excellent posts in 2007.

Anonymous said...

Great job, Betmo...Congratulations, Girl! Thanks for all of your information..I've learned so much on your blog..I feel like I've received a Master's Degree in something...not sure what, but something! God forgive me, but who is that person in the picture?

Viking Phyllis George

billie said...

cheney swearing in gates as the new secretary of defense- while the alleged president looks on in stupified silence.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of..I was in denial..

VPG

shawn (aka blogstud) said...

700th post! Wow, and it seems like just yesterday.

Thanks for your wisdom and your dedication in sharing it with the rest of us.

Happy 2007!

Anonymous said...

I love your new blog design. Keep up the good work!

Donnie McDaniel said...

Way to go girl!! You rock. Keep up the pressure, because this national nightmare is far from over. Also thanks for the link. Remember the saying: If you don't have anything nice to say, you must be talking about George Bush!!!