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2009: Promises & Failures

Dec 13, 2009

by Sharrie
posted in Inspirations

The end of 2008 didn't seem to bode off well for the beginning of 2009 either. After the near financial armageddon of 2008, the year started of with an ongoing Israeli Gaza War. The year looked bleak when it began. The "Swine Flu" was also lurking & it eventually renamed to H1N1 Virus. So, we had lots of manmade 'disasters' filling the entire year. Luckily, we also are blessed with some successes & progresses; the obvious one being a sign of hope - Barack Obama. The miracles of U.S. Airways & Susan Boyle are some bright spots of the year. With 2009 drawing to a close, I'm sure this decade of 'messes' is going to be changed by a new tide of good news. 2010 will be the beginning of a new decade of global successes (keeping my fingers crossed!!!)!

Barack Obama

The reason is obvious. The first ever black U.S. president which marks a hopeful generation and an accepting American voters over racial discrimination. The first evidence that a minority race can take power & hence a sign of hopes for many in America as well as in the world.

Gaza War

If it had been handled wrongly, it could have escalated into World War III perhaps? But luckily for all of us, we steer clear of that! It left me with quite a impression because that was what started the year and I was just in its neighborhood when that happened. I was having a holiday in Jordan! Quite interesting to note now that while Gaza strip was being attacked and many died in that conflict, Jordan was reasonably quiet and safe. Oh, there were some checks near the borders but for most part, not a bomb was heard!

US Airways Flight 1549

It's a miracle as far as I'm concerned! Landing on water without a casualty, that's not only skill and professionalism of the pilot concerned, that's God at its helm! At times, don't we all wish that we have such a pilot navigating our lives?!

Air France Flight 447 Crash

A disaster as far as all passengers are concerned. Makes me wonder how vulnerable we all are despite all the inventions and major progresses in mankind. What truly happened and why did it happened are my major concerns. Will it happen again? God forbids! Yet, this one stands out because no one alive (or dead for that matters) clearly knows why or how it happened!!!

Bernard Madoff

The biggest Ponzi scheme in history. Yet, is it really? Makes me wonder if there are other forms of such deceits which the world has yet uncovered. Is he to blame for it fully? Well, depends on who you asked. For me though, there's no free lunch in this world. Anything that sounds too good to be true is certainly too good to be true!

Icelandic Government & Banking System Collapse

This one affects the world of finance and banking. It tells us everyone and every country is vulnerable to greed. Iceland before 2008 was the most expensive country to live and work in! A country that failed to govern prudently resulting in a total disgrace and ultimately a total collapse in its economy.

General Motors (GM)

No one would have envisioned this to happen to GM although after Enron, Lehman Brothers, Chapter 11 is nothing new for America, merely another bankruptcy that has fallen on hard times. On the other hand though, GM is doing relatively well in China!

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devora December 14, 2009

Nice list, Sharrie! So many unfortunate events this year. Let's hope things are better next year!

Sharrie December 14, 2009

Thanks, Debbie! I hope so too!

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devora created a list. December 11, 2009

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Sharrie (Sharrie)
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I'm a traveler at heart & have been nicknamed Travel Queen by friends & colleagues alike. Traveling has been my life passion for the last decade or so. As we enter a new decade, I'm excited … more

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