What in The World Happened This Year?
I'm not too sure how I found myself in this position, with only twenty days until a whole new year. It seems that 2012 flew past me. I just remember ringing in the New Year in Florida and now I'm getting ready for a family vacation in Las Vegas. Looking back at what 2012 had to offer there were so incredible moments this year but along with triumph there was also tragedy. Here are some of the biggest moments in my opinion that defined the year 2012.
London Summer Olympics
If you have been a long visitor to this blog you are fully aware about my obsession with the London 2012 games. The London Summer Olympics was one of my favorite moments this year. We got to marvel at the wonder of the human body and all that it can do. We got to root for our favorite teams and beam with joy at their victories. It was just an incredible experience and Rio has a lot to live up to. Here are some links to my previous posts about the Olympics Chariots of Fire: London 2012 and Wonderwall: London 2012.
Global Economic Crisis
The current global financial crisis is the worst the world has witnessed since the Great Depression in the 1930's. This year has seen several anti-austerity protests take place in Spain, Portugal and Greece. These European countries have arguable the highest unemployment rates in the continent. There have been protests in Italy, Belgium and France as well.
Natural Disasters
Whenever I turned on the TV there seemed to be a natural disaster being reported on the news. Drought in the Sahel region in Western Africa, flooding in North Korea, earthquakes in Iran and Tsunami warning in Japan just to name a few. I have never been apart of a natural disaster prior to Hurricane Sandy. I witnessed first hand the destruction that Mother Nature can do. Now Typhoon Bopha has severely devastated the Philippines. As of right now 5.4 million people have been affected and 714 people have been confirmed dead.
Genocide in Myanmar?
Earlier this year a Buddhist women was raped and killed in the western state of Rakhine, Myanmar. Three Muslim men were charged with committing the crime. Revenge attacked occurred a week later where ten Muslims were killed. Bloodshed soon fell to the region with the Rohingya Muslims population baring the brunt of the attacks. The violence lead to 80,000 Rohingya to evacuate their homes. The government in Myanmar and neighboring Bangladesh considers the Rohingya Muslims to be illegal immigrants which means they have no legal rights. This humanitarian crisis continues to be ignored by the international community.
Marriage Equality
During the 2012 US Elections, three states approved of same-sex marriage. There are now nine states where same-sex couples can legally wed. With the election of Francois Hollande as President in France, the Socialist party are working on passing a same-sex marriage bill.
Case of Trayvon Martin
On February 26, the death of Trayvon Martin lead to much needed discussion about Florida's Stand Your Ground Law. That evening the 17 year old Trayvon Martin was killed by Neighborhood Watch member George Zimmerman. Mr. Zimmerman claims he was protecting himself from Trayvon. A trail has been set for June 10 2013. I have been keeping a watchful eye on this case. Here is a link to my first response to this case Skittles and Iced Tea.
Gun Control
Yesterday a gunmen opened fire in Oregon shopping mall, killing two people before he took his own life. This shooting was the latest in the string of shooting rampages this year including the infamous Aurora shootings. The tragedy of Aurora left twelve people dead and 58 people wounded. These cases have lead to a much needed discussion about gun control in the United States.
Benghazi
On the eleventh anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the US Consulate was attacked. This resulted in the death of the US Ambassador to Libya and three other staffers. This attack is still under investigation.
US Elections 2012
Several nations had elections this year but none gained more ink than the American General Elections. I believe this has to do with the American press love of sensationalism. After what felt like years of campaigning President Obama was reelected as President of the United States of America.
Palestine and Israel
On November 14, Israel launched an eight day offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Syria
March 2011 marked the beginning of the most destructive and enduring Arab uprising. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights at least 40,000 have been killed in the uprising. There has been several attempts from the international community to end the crisis but with China, Russia and Iran backing the Syrian Government the attempts have been futile.
Let me know what you thought about the year 2012. What were the biggest events that happened this year. Looking at my list 2012 seemed a bit gloomy.
London Summer Olympics
If you have been a long visitor to this blog you are fully aware about my obsession with the London 2012 games. The London Summer Olympics was one of my favorite moments this year. We got to marvel at the wonder of the human body and all that it can do. We got to root for our favorite teams and beam with joy at their victories. It was just an incredible experience and Rio has a lot to live up to. Here are some links to my previous posts about the Olympics Chariots of Fire: London 2012 and Wonderwall: London 2012.
Global Economic Crisis
The current global financial crisis is the worst the world has witnessed since the Great Depression in the 1930's. This year has seen several anti-austerity protests take place in Spain, Portugal and Greece. These European countries have arguable the highest unemployment rates in the continent. There have been protests in Italy, Belgium and France as well.
Natural Disasters
Whenever I turned on the TV there seemed to be a natural disaster being reported on the news. Drought in the Sahel region in Western Africa, flooding in North Korea, earthquakes in Iran and Tsunami warning in Japan just to name a few. I have never been apart of a natural disaster prior to Hurricane Sandy. I witnessed first hand the destruction that Mother Nature can do. Now Typhoon Bopha has severely devastated the Philippines. As of right now 5.4 million people have been affected and 714 people have been confirmed dead.
Genocide in Myanmar?
Earlier this year a Buddhist women was raped and killed in the western state of Rakhine, Myanmar. Three Muslim men were charged with committing the crime. Revenge attacked occurred a week later where ten Muslims were killed. Bloodshed soon fell to the region with the Rohingya Muslims population baring the brunt of the attacks. The violence lead to 80,000 Rohingya to evacuate their homes. The government in Myanmar and neighboring Bangladesh considers the Rohingya Muslims to be illegal immigrants which means they have no legal rights. This humanitarian crisis continues to be ignored by the international community.
Marriage Equality
During the 2012 US Elections, three states approved of same-sex marriage. There are now nine states where same-sex couples can legally wed. With the election of Francois Hollande as President in France, the Socialist party are working on passing a same-sex marriage bill.
Case of Trayvon Martin
On February 26, the death of Trayvon Martin lead to much needed discussion about Florida's Stand Your Ground Law. That evening the 17 year old Trayvon Martin was killed by Neighborhood Watch member George Zimmerman. Mr. Zimmerman claims he was protecting himself from Trayvon. A trail has been set for June 10 2013. I have been keeping a watchful eye on this case. Here is a link to my first response to this case Skittles and Iced Tea.
Gun Control
Yesterday a gunmen opened fire in Oregon shopping mall, killing two people before he took his own life. This shooting was the latest in the string of shooting rampages this year including the infamous Aurora shootings. The tragedy of Aurora left twelve people dead and 58 people wounded. These cases have lead to a much needed discussion about gun control in the United States.
Benghazi
On the eleventh anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the US Consulate was attacked. This resulted in the death of the US Ambassador to Libya and three other staffers. This attack is still under investigation.
US Elections 2012
Several nations had elections this year but none gained more ink than the American General Elections. I believe this has to do with the American press love of sensationalism. After what felt like years of campaigning President Obama was reelected as President of the United States of America.
Palestine and Israel
On November 14, Israel launched an eight day offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Syria
March 2011 marked the beginning of the most destructive and enduring Arab uprising. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights at least 40,000 have been killed in the uprising. There has been several attempts from the international community to end the crisis but with China, Russia and Iran backing the Syrian Government the attempts have been futile.
Let me know what you thought about the year 2012. What were the biggest events that happened this year. Looking at my list 2012 seemed a bit gloomy.
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