The Year That Was- The Worst of 2006
As 2006 comes to a close, it occurs to me that many things- both good and bad- happened to us this year. In order to make sense of it all, I've come up with a ranking of the best and worst of 2006. In true "Bad news first, good news last" tradition, I'll begin with the bad and with those who have passed on, and list the happier parts tomorrow.
General News
- The Execution of Saddam Hussein: In one of the most stunning, and arguably worst, proceedings in modern history, it was clear that the execution of Saddam Hussein was never considered to be anything but a foregone conclusion. However, it may become painfully clear in the months to come that the hanging of the ex-dictator may not have been a step in the right direction to heal an already divided fledgling democracy. And for that additional "I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed" sting, it's truly barbaric that we are still executing prisoners in 2006.
- The Duke Lacrosse Rape Allegations: With new evidence coming to light and an ever-changing victim's account of the events, it is becoming obvious that the prosecutor in the case was more politically ambitious than morally sound. Playing the race card has never been a popular trick in my book, but to compound that sin with the indelible stain of a rape allegation is completely unforgivable. Thanks to the supposed victim and her prosecutorial battle-ax, a team was disbanded, a coach was disgraced, and young men's lives were ruined. Were they wrong to hire a stripper? Yes. Was the behavior for which they are now standing trial reprehensible? Certainly. Does the crime fit the unofficial punishment? Absolutely not.
- Democrats Take Control of the House and Possibly the Senate: I say possibly because of the recent events concerning the health of a Democratic Senator. In any case, Democrats have already shown signs of balking on campaign promises. It looks like politics as usual- only worse.
- The Amish Slaughter: That a man in the community can enter a schoolhouse and kill five young girls is entirely despicable. It was an honest-to-god tragedy in the worst sense of the word.
- RD Dunkin- Central Region Chairman, Order of the Arrow.
- Gerald Ford-Thirty-eighth President of the United States (1974-1977).
- James Brown- The Godfather of Soul.
- Joseph Barbara- Co-founder of Hanna-Barbara Studios.
- Lamar Hunt- Owner of the Kansas City Chiefs who coined the term "Super Bowl".
- Peter Boyle- Actor: Young Frankenstein and Everybody Loves Raymond.
- Robert Altman- Director of MASH.
- Theodore Taylor- Author of The Cay
- Cory Lidle- Pitcher for the New York Yankees.
- Jeane Kirkpatrick- Former US Ambassador to the UN.
- Louise Bauder- My Grandmother on Eric's side
- Jack Palance- Actor.
- Buck O'Neill- Negro League baseball player. Snubbed by the Hall of Fame.
- Steve Irwin- The Crocodile Hunter.
- Patsy Ramsey- Mother of Jon Benet Ramsey, the murdered pageant... youngster.
- Don Knotts- Barney Fife will be missed.
- Kirby Puckett- Major League Baseball player.
- Coretta Scott King- Wife of the late Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Wilson Pickett- R & B artist.