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2011 Reflections, 2012 Predictions
No country suffered more than Japan in
2011. Japan was rocked by an 8.9 earthquake, then a
tsunami that was created from the quake hit the small
island. The tsunami caused significant damage to one
of Japan's power plants making it impossible to properly
cool or shutdown the nuclear reactor. The inability
to cool the nuclear plant resulted in a nuclear melt
down, and the escape of radiation. When the trifecta
hit, the Japanese people earned the world's respect,
they managed the tragedy with stoicism and grace. The
consequences of this horrible tragedy, and implications
of the radiation leaks, into the sea and atmosphere
are still unknown. Japan will bear the scars from 2011,
for generations to come.
The world's tyrants and dictators faced the masses in
2011. The Libyan civil war rebellion resulted in the
death of Gadafi, one of the world's longest reigning
dictators. The people's revolt in Egypt resulted in
the successful unseating of Mubarak. The unrest persists
in countries that are ruled by unelected leaders, with
ongoing protests continuing in both Syria and Yemen.
2011 was marked with justices and injustices. The justice
of 2011 was no more evident than when, Osama Bin Laden
was killed in Pakistan by a team of US special force
Navy Seals. In a stark contrast, many felt that Casey
Anthony escaped justice, when a jury of twelve found
her innocent in the death of her young daughter. Where
the jury saw innocence, many in the world saw guilt.
Europe united by the Euro, struggled with how to manage
the crippling debt of some member countries. Greece
saw numerous protests, as citizens faced the prospect
of cutting popular entitlement programs. Other European
countries facing similar economic issues saw similar
turmoil. Europe had it's moments of joy, with the crowning
of a princess, and the marriage of Kate Middleton to
Prince William in the United Kingdom.
The US was not immune to mother nature's wrath. The
US saw an unprecedented number of tornadoes in the month
of April. April's horrific tornadoes cut a swath through
the US stealing the lives of more than 350. The US also
experienced unprecedented flooding in the west, along
the Mississippi.
The US struggled with philosophical divisions and political
turmoil throughout 2011. Scott Walker, the Governor
of Wisconsin took on the the Unions and collective bargaining
rights, while the Democratic State Representatives responded
by leaving negotiations and heading for Illinois. The
US congressional debate and struggle over the debt ceiling,
resulted in a rating downgrade by Standards and Poors.
The U.S. lost that high standing, when S&P downgraded
it to a AA+ rating. It marked the first time, the world's
largest economy has been downgraded, since Moody's first
gave the country a credit rating in 1917.
The GOP field of Republican primary contenders has been
a roller coaster ride for political pundits, with candidates
rising and falling in the polls. Michelle Bachman took
an early Iowa straw poll, only to have her numbers plummet.
Ricky Perry jumped in and rose quickly to the top of
the pack, only to stumble on a debate question about
illegal aliens. Herman Cain's "9-9-9" plan
caught attention but "personal relationships"
caused him to withdraw from the primary race.
Occupy Wall Street began with Ducoti Park. but quickly
spread. Occupiers took up residence in many of the world's
city parks. The lack of a single voice from Occupiers,
and illegal activities in many of the occupation areas
diluted the group's message. The frustration and dreary
economic outlook was clearly visible on the faces of
protesters and non-protesters alike throughout the fall
of 2011. Sadly, it is unlikely that the US will unite
in 2012, as the deep philosophical divide and floundering
economy have divided neighbors and friends alike.
Obamacare faced legal challenges in more than just the
court of public opinion in 2011. Due to discrepancies
in the various lower court rulings, the Supreme Court,
the highest court in the land, will decide the fate
of Obamacare in 2012.
Personal indiscretions, infidelities and private scandals
became public news in 2011, when Anthony Weiner's Twitter
scandal, Arnold Schwartzeneger's secret child, and John
Edwards legal issues, all became front page news.
Capitalism struggled with regulation, and free enterprise
was marred by the death of one of it's greats. Steve
Jobs who revolutionized the way music was sold succumbed
to his battle with cancer in 2011.
What the future holds is any one's guess. December 2011
marked the exit of US troups from Iraq for the final
time. How the struggling democracy will fare is an unknown.
The death of Kim Jong Il, in December brings uncertainty
of what to expect from North Korea going forward in
2012. Whether 2012 will bring back economic prosperity,
and peace to unsettled areas remains to be seen.
What
Is Hot and What is Not in Technology for 2012 -
http://www.small-business-software.net/whats-hot-whats-not-2012.htm
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com
software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds
and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for
RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com
audio recording and editing software.
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