I didn’t have much time to look around but according to the AP (via CBS news) these were the top stories of 2006 (with a tie for seventh place) with my comments.
1. IRAQ: What started in 2003 as a supposedly straightforward drive to topple Saddam Hussein deteriorated during 2006 into a dismayingly complex and savage struggle, with Iraqis by the thousands killed in sectarian reprisal attacks and the U.S. military death toll nearing 3,000. President Bush dropped talk of "staying the course" but balked at embracing many of the key suggestions of a bipartisan study group; Iraqi authorities struggled to assert control and avoid fracture.
We’ll see what, if anything will change with the Democratic Congress and Bush’s impending speech on what we’re going to do in Iraq in the near future.
2. U.S. ELECTION: Unhappiness with events in Iraq was one of the driving forces behind the Democrats' surge in the Nov. 7 election. They took over the House with a large majority, gained a narrow edge in the Senate, and also advanced in statehouses nationwide. Nancy Pelosi, assailed by the Republicans as a "San Francisco liberal" during the campaign, will become the first female speaker of the House.
I just caught an interview of her this morning on CBS. She talks the talk and I like what she has to say but I’m cynical about whether the Dems can bring about any real changes for the better. I wish ‘em luck and will be watching them closely.
3. NUCLEAR STANDOFFS: The United States and its allies were frustrated in their efforts to rein in nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran. North Korea tested a nuclear bomb in October, and Iran — despite a threat of sanctions — pushed ahead with plans to bring its first nuclear power plant on line in late 2007.
With no more nuclear tests from N Korea and Iran’s recent elections, these stories have cooled down but I’m sure will be seeing more in 2007.
4. ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: Congress tried to confront the influx of illegal immigrants from Latin America, but the effort collapsed amid deep divisions over whether to stress a crackdown or include provisions to help some illegal immigrants work toward citizenship. The get-tough approach triggered huge protests by immigrants-rights supporters.
Again, this was a big story over the summer. I hope more happens than trying to build a wall between the US and Mexico. At least historically walls have all long proven track record of keeping people out—oh, wait they don’t. Can you hear the sound of your tax dollars being flushed down the toilet? Or is that just the sound of the government paying grossly inflated prices to some friend of a politician to build an ineffective-at-best wall.
5. SCANDALS IN CONGRESS: Several Republican congressmen were brought down by scandals, including Mark Foley, who resigned over sexually explicit messages sent to male pages, and Randy Cunningham, who pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from defense contractors. House Majority Leader Tom Delay resigned after being indicted on campaign finance charges in Texas, and Ohio's Bob Ney pleaded guilty in connection with the probe of lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
A tough year for Republicans but just wait for the Dem scandals once they’re back in the power position.
6. SADDAM CONVICTED: Saddam Hussein was convicted in the slaying of 148 Shiite Muslims, including children, following an assassination attempt against him in 1982. He was sentenced to death by hanging, but proceedings against him continued on genocide charges stemming from a chemical attack on Kurds in 1987. (Saddam was executed by hanging on Dec. 30, 2006.)
7. MIDEAST FIGHTING: Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militia fought a monthlong war in the summer; more than 900 people were killed and much of southern Lebanon was battered. Lebanon's Western-backed government emerged more embattled than ever, while Hezbollah claimed increased popular support.
I’ve got nothing to add. I wish we could just all get along. I feel so powerless when it comes to conflict in the Middle East or anywhere. I still can’t understand why people litter, let alone understand why people are willing to kill each other. I know that this sounds naive, and I understand that there are times where fascist and the like must be stopped with violence. . .but what if they gave a war and no one came?
7. RUMSFELD RESIGNS: As conditions worsened in Iraq, President Bush publicly stuck by his defense secretary. But a day after the midterm elections gave Democrats control of Congress, Bush announced Donald Rumsfeld's departure. Though his brusque style initially won some admiring reviews, Rumsfeld was seen as underestimating Iraq's challenges while alienating the military brass and members of Congress.
Good riddance.
9. AIRLINER PLOT: British authorities said they narrowly thwarted a terrorist plot to bomb several jets over the Atlantic. The disclosure led to tough new restrictions on the contents of carry-on luggage.
Quite a boom for zip-lock bags. Recently when I was at O’Hare, they really didn’t enforce this. But in the Podunk airports they’ve got special people assigned to checking the 3 oz. regulation.
10. DISASTER IN DARFUR: Violence worsened in Sudan's Darfur region, where fighting between rebels and government forces has killed more than 200,000 people. The United Nations approved a 20,000-strong peacekeeping force, but Sudan blocked its deployment.
We will be talking about this one in class soon when we cover genocide. Just horrible.
Just missing out on the Top 10 was mounting concern over climate change and global warming, highlighted by the release of Al Gore's movie, "An Inconvenient Truth," and alarming new warnings from many scientists.
Several voters remarked on how Iraq — and its ripple effects — dominated the year.
"All news paled in comparison to the developments in the Middle East, which are beginning to be felt in every community," wrote Ken Stickney of The News-Star at Monroe, La.
You can read the full article here.
We’ll be brainstorming this list in class on Monday and Tuesday. I’m curious to see what stories students come up with.
You can also click here and vote for which story you think is #1 for 2006 and read more.
Know of any other lists? Post a comment.
Ideas on the most under-reported stories of 2006? Post a comment.
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