2005: The Continuing Crisis
Not sure which crisis is the most significant of the year? Here are some to consider:
Scientists and science-fearing politicians continue to bicker over semantics (Was 2005 the hottest year ever or only the second hottest? Discuss!) while the planet continues to melt. Some estimates suggest that most of the surface permafrost of the Northern Hemisphere will thaw by 2100.
Time Magazine sez, "Hooray for multi-millionaires!" U2 lead singer Bono and his rich chums Bill & Melinda Gates have been selected as Time's Persons of the Year. Wouldn't it be great if everyone made a living wage and could afford the time and effort to crusade for human rights in between one's rock concert obligations? Maybe if we could all afford to feed ourselves in this country without working three jobs or going into massive credit card debt, we could be humanitarians, too! Maybe if our politicians were more concerned with the living conditions of their constituents rather than preserving fundamentalist notions of morality, we'd all work toward a useful form of government! Or maybe the editors of Time Magazine should just go fuck themselves!
My nomination: the displaced citizens of New Orleans and surrounding areas, many of whom are still homeless.
I was ready to take The West Wing off my regular TV viewing checklist after last season's exercise in dumbing down politics and dialogue ("The president's daughter has been kidnapped! Call John Goodman!"). But this season's emphasis on a new presidential campaign between two charismatic actors (Jimmy "Save Our Franchise" Smits and Alan "Sensitivity" Alda) has renewed my faith in the show. But the recent death of John Spencer has called the fate of the program (due for cancellation at the end of this season anyway) back into question.
On a somewhat more optimistic note, here is yet another reason to pay for satellite radio.
Scientists and science-fearing politicians continue to bicker over semantics (Was 2005 the hottest year ever or only the second hottest? Discuss!) while the planet continues to melt. Some estimates suggest that most of the surface permafrost of the Northern Hemisphere will thaw by 2100.
Time Magazine sez, "Hooray for multi-millionaires!" U2 lead singer Bono and his rich chums Bill & Melinda Gates have been selected as Time's Persons of the Year. Wouldn't it be great if everyone made a living wage and could afford the time and effort to crusade for human rights in between one's rock concert obligations? Maybe if we could all afford to feed ourselves in this country without working three jobs or going into massive credit card debt, we could be humanitarians, too! Maybe if our politicians were more concerned with the living conditions of their constituents rather than preserving fundamentalist notions of morality, we'd all work toward a useful form of government! Or maybe the editors of Time Magazine should just go fuck themselves!
My nomination: the displaced citizens of New Orleans and surrounding areas, many of whom are still homeless.
I was ready to take The West Wing off my regular TV viewing checklist after last season's exercise in dumbing down politics and dialogue ("The president's daughter has been kidnapped! Call John Goodman!"). But this season's emphasis on a new presidential campaign between two charismatic actors (Jimmy "Save Our Franchise" Smits and Alan "Sensitivity" Alda) has renewed my faith in the show. But the recent death of John Spencer has called the fate of the program (due for cancellation at the end of this season anyway) back into question.
On a somewhat more optimistic note, here is yet another reason to pay for satellite radio.
posted by Chazzbot at 11:31 AM
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