The Year in Review:2008

Not exactly the catchiest title in the world I know, but this is simply a reflection on 2008. Anything and everything about 2008. Hopefully it won't get to heavy, just some of my own personal thoughts on this year. Not trying to shake the heavens or get anyone thinking too deeply here; its the hollidays after all! We saw many firsts in 2008, first time the DOW lost 777 points in one day; the first black president was elected to the white house in a landslide. The first time the government bailed out both Wall Street and the auto industry in the same year. First time gas reached over 4$ a gallon. The first time we had a serious female contender for the white house, in Sen. Hillary Clinton. The first time an athlete won 8 gold medals in one Olympics, the Super Hadron Collider was finally operational and, this is probably one of the most important ones for me, the PlayStation 3 FINALLY released an exclusive title I could be proud of in Little Big Planet! Of course there were many more big firsts, I'm sure many of which I am unaware of. However with 2008 drawing to a close, and my inevitable 2 day hangover that seems to always accompany the new year, I think it is important to say goodbye to 2008 the right way, and get hammered.

We have seen many great things this year. Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals at the Olympic games was the highlight for me. We all seemed to take a break this summer. Wall Street had not yet totally crashed, the auto makers weren't down on their knees in their 5,000$ Armani suits asking for a bailout and we all seemed to come together for a couple of weeks and rejoice in the glory that is competition. Of course my Cleveland Indians couldn't get back to the playoffs, and the Browns were an abysmal failure...again, but for those few weeks in August we all cheered on our country's athletes. After the games, everything seemed to go down hill. The economy, the bailouts, the debt etc etc etc. If you have a pulse and have not been living under a rock the past year I'm sure you are all well aware of this. So this begs the question, what does this all mean? Where do we go from here?

Well, and this my sound cynical, I have very little optimism about where we are headed. I see the policies enacted by congress, the politicians grabbing more power, and Bill Cowher deciding not to come to the Browns next year as all signs that we are in big trouble, especially for those who are partial to football teams from northeastern Ohio. Most people do not want to change the game, they simply think that they can manage the game better. In fact with all the recent firings of many NFL head coaches maybe the leaders could look to the NFL for some guidance. In that line of work, if you suck you don't get to stick around; well unless you are the head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Simply look at how the Atlanta Falcons turned their team around, now that my dear readers is "change." However, with what I see our nation doing, ie more of the same and in areas of change its change for the worse, I am not optimistic at all. Maybe this will spark a counter movement where the libertarian wing of the conservative party picks up some steam. So in a way I'm glad to see 2008 end, but I'm also very concerned for 2009 and beyond. What if Wall Street fails again? What of the auto makers ask for more money? What if there is another terror attack? What if the Browns don't get Eric Mangini or another quality head coach? What if the PlayStation 3 can't deliver on its promises for its games in 2009!? These are all questions that keep me up at night tossing and turning in my luxury 10x12 dorm room.

However these are also questions that I can not answer, no one can really. We just have to do our best. Fearing these things is not practical. As Ovid once said "It is foolish to fear that which can not be avoided." So embrace the new year and all the trials and tribulations that are bound to come with it, political or otherwise. Yes I know its trite, unoriginal and overused advice; but I see so many people not listening to it. I intend to embrace this new year with my eyes open, and ready to tackle its problems. Of course my ability to do so won't be untill sometime on January 2nd or 3rd. Happy New Year everyone; peace and goodwill.

In Liberty (and beer),
Mr. Jefferson

"That government is best, which governs least."
-Thomas Paine