The More Things Change
Every political pundit and news organization is putting together its list of top stories of the 2000s.* I will spare you my diatribe of how the decade doesn’t really end until next year and offer some perspective on events as well.
I think I can honestly say we close out the decade the way started, divided and a little nervous. Think about it. The first two big events of the year 2000 were the Y2K bug and the Presidential election which put George W. Bush into office, despite losing the popular vote.
We united after 9-11, but things went south again right after the U.S. invasion of Iraq. As Iraq deteriorated we went back to divided government in 2006 and in 2008, the financial meltdown began.
We elected the first African-American President (although there are still some crazies who don’t think he’s a citizen, funny how that happens when the black guy shows up). But by the end of the year, his approval ratings hovered about 50-percent, luckily that is based more on performance than pigmentation.
There was some things that brought us together, I call them Facebook and Twitter. We saw an explosion of reality television. Michael Jackson died and so did Tiger Woods’ clean cut image.
I think what’s most symbolic about the 2000s is that unlike the 70s, 80s and 90s we could never agree on what exactly to call the first decade of the 21st century.
I like to think of them as over.
*I’ll be putting up my top 10 lists over the course of week. It’s no fun to simply curse the bandwagon. You have to drive it every once in a while.
December 27th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I agree without almost everything you wrote but…..George W. Bush was not elected president in 2000. He was selected president by the Supreme Court.
December 27th, 2009 at 9:56 am
While agreeing with President Obama on Iraq withdrawl & a shorter leash on finance sector “self-regulation”, it's not too much to ask for a candidate for one of the most powerful positions on the globe to share history and credentials: birth, health, educational, and political. If we currently had a white Republican President with a similar withholding of information, the fury from the mainstream press would be both powerful and understandable. It's an issue (like immigration) that transcends race and ethnicity, though opportune for some to make the issues that simple and scathing.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
A 9.0 decade is the very media math that has Fox far out in front; dropping the once main now vain/lame stream, in cycling lingo, “way off the back.”
December 27th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
You wouldn't know a fact if it rested on your chin! And explaining the facts to you is like talking to a child.
The facts are as follows:
1) Bush won the count in every independent review of the 2000 election.
2) All the U.S. Supreme court did was keep the Florida Supreme Court from demanding re-counts until they achieved their desired result.
3) The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7 to 2 to hear the case.
Shouldn't you be watchin' Sponge Bob?
December 27th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
By by the way, Abdul, our national 'unity' lasted as long as the scumbag Democrat leadership could contain themselves–about two weeks.
I wonder how many stories we'll read about Obama not being informed about the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas until three hours after the fact………..
December 28th, 2009 at 7:23 am
And as for local Top Tens, you have to put Ballard's election in that group. There hasn't been a local politician misjudge the elctorate more since Goldy actually thought he could get elected governor. Which was hilarious, givne his Indy track record. Ballard's election was one paert luck, one part incumbent hubris, and one part righit-place-right-time. Combined with just enough political accuracy to judge the electorate's anger.
If only Greg had followed through for, oh–a couple of weeks.
December 28th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Rico, you can always be counted on to raise the level of discussion on this blog. You have a unique way of using your fourth grade insults to demean YOURSELF. Keep posting as it just reminds everyone of what a nut job you are.
December 28th, 2009 at 8:28 am
I think the Tsunomi (Spelling??) that killed over 250k people should definately be on that list. Doesn't matter what we think say or do, just reminds us that we are all mortal.
December 28th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Hey, Rico–the SCOTUS decision was 5-4, with Madame Justice O'Connor later telling folks privately what most SCOTUS scholars already know: this was one of their darkest hours.
I was hoping you were taking a long winter's nap. Alas, I was wrong.
December 28th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Once again, the Supremes decided to hear the case by a 7 to 2 vote.
And many of us are used to you being wrong, TA.
December 28th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Oh, Rico…the cert was heard on a unanimous vote.
The actual case was a 5-4 vote.
Do you even understand how SCOTS works?
December 28th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
It was not heard on a unanimous vote. It was 7 to 2 to hear the case. I effin know what the actual vote was.
And I happen to know far more than you on how the Supreme Court was intended to work. You've demonstrated your disdain for our forefathers intent for the Court by your support of our Affirmative Action justice Sotomayor. The justices of the Supreme Court aren't there to write law, but determine its constitutionality. Much of the downfall of this country has been due to liberal justices who want to legislate from the bench.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:35 am
Hmmm…I don't see “case law” listed anywhere in the Indiana Constitution or Indiana code. It's also missing from the federal Constitution.
So, where can I find something that tells one that We the People must obey “case law”?
IC 1-1-2-1
Hierarchy of law
Sec. 1. The law governing this state is declared to be:
First. The Constitution of the United States and of this state.
Second. All statutes of the general assembly of the state in force, and not inconsistent with such constitutions.
Third. All statutes of the United States in force, and relating to subjects over which congress has power to legislate for the states, and not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States.
Fourth. The common law of England, and statutes of the British Parliament made in aid thereof prior to the fourth year of the reign of James the First (except the second section of the sixth chapter of forty-third Elizabeth, the eighth chapter of thirteenth Elizabeth, and the ninth chapter of thirty-seventh Henry the Eighth,) and which are of a general nature, not local to that kingdom, and not inconsistent with the first, second and third specifications of this section.
(Formerly: Acts 1852,1RS, c.61, s.1.)
I'm curious…what was the emergency that existed in Indiana in 1976 ??
IC 1-1-1-9
Effective date
Sec. 9. Because an emergency exists, the Indiana Code takes effect January 21, 1976.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:04 am
IndyAries,
“I'm curious…what was the emergency that existed in Indiana in 1976 ??”
The “danger” of violence in Gary, Indiana, during the steel strike, 1976.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/RS21024.pdf
And, the Wabash floods of the same year.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Hello Jack. Thanks for the info.
December 30th, 2009 at 12:09 am
Hello Jack. Thanks for the info.