Editor’s note: This commentary is by Bob Stannard, a former lobbyist, who is still an author and musician. This piece first appeared in the Bennington Banner.
“And so this is Christmas and what have you done?
Another year’s over and a new one’s just begun.” — John Lennon
[T]hey seem to go by much faster now, don’t they? Weren’t we saying goodbye to 2013 a month ago? Another year can’t possibly be over already, can it? Well, if I take a look around and see what’s happened I guess it is possible.
In January we were in the throes of major renovations on our home that I built myself in 1979. We decided that our house was the best investment we’ve ever made and it was worth saving. We got to know new people — carpenters, electricians, plumbers, solar installers, all of whom we’re deeply indebted.
Simultaneously, Colorado legalized pot. The ACA went into effect and it took 24 minutes to execute Dennis McGuire of Ohio.
It’s hard to believe that we would legalize same-sex marriage prior to legalizing pot. Thirty-five states now allow same-sex marriage. Pot is legal in only four.
Sadly, we lost some great people: Robin Williams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, James Garner. In Vermont we bowed our heads as single-payer health care met its demise. Both the North and South Shires of Bennington County lost their town clerks. Linda Spence and Tim Corcoran will be sorely missed.
Some leave and others arrive. We saw the arrival of two new grandchildren born 10 days apart. In addition, the young man who lived with us during high school years had his first child. During the arrival of babies both of our kids were transitioning from apartment life to home ownership. Apparently, just having a baby isn’t stressful enough, so they tossed a move in there for fun.
Donald Sterling, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, was banned from the NBA for life for his racial remarks. The Supreme Court upheld a Michigan law banning the use of racial criteria in college admissions. In Ferguson, a black kid was killed by a cop. In New York, a black man was choked by a cop and died as a result. Two cops sitting in a cruiser were executed.
A clown dictator with a bad haircut may have hacked Sony Pictures. Instead of telling this creep to pound sand, Sony pulled their movie. Kim Jong-un, while OD-ing on cheese, called Obama a monkey. Sony released the film.
A report on the CIA’s use of torture showed that we’re as bad as every other country that tortures prisoners. To no surprise we learned the CIA lied about torturing prisoners. CIA director George Tenet and L. Paul Bremer, who lost $9 billion, have not yet offered to return their Medal of Freedom wrongly awarded them by President Bush.
Republicans captured the Senate and added more seats in Congress. Not surprisingly they couldn’t pass a budget without help from Democrats.
Republicans captured the Senate and added more seats in Congress. Not surprisingly they couldn’t pass a budget without help from Democrats.
In Arizona it took two hours to execute convicted murderer Joseph Woods.
Prior to the election we had an outbreak of Ebola. It was Obama’s fault. It went away after the election.
Presidential hopeful Rick Perry was indicted for abuse of power for attempting to coerce a public official (wow, does Gov. Christie know that’s a crime?).
A hooded coward representing ISIS murdered innocent people on TV.
The winter Olympics took place in Sochi, Russia. It was 60 degrees. The ruble is crashing. Things are heating up in Russia, which had to invade Ukraine, because they couldn’t afford to buy it.
Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 was never heard from again.
Cosby crashed and burned.
Republicans pick up only nine seats in the Vermont House, two in the Senate
After 50 years, Obama reached out to Cuba. The world applauds. Marco Rubio’s head explodes.
Many thanks to those who read the stuff I write, even if you don’t like it.
Happy Holidays
