Farewell to 2012; Wish I'd Never Known Ya

[jbg]

2012 was a lousy year.

1. A patternless, boring, theme-less, Presidential election;
   
2. Virtually no snow in the New York area;
   
3. Great human suffering and misery from Hurricane Sandy;
   
4. The Newtown School massacre;
   
5. Continued Iranian progress in building a nuclear bomb;
   
6. Congressmen and Senators, who dress up like adults, unable to conduct vital business while the country heads for the fiscal cliff; and
   
7. I'm sure there's more.
   

A more dreary, depressing year on the world stage is hard to imagine.

On a personal note, the year started with supposedly minor surgery for my mother turning into a debacle, as well as uncovering a life-threatening condition. The after-care, in a well-regarded hospital, verged on barbaric. Four our of my children's six grandparents suffered illnesses of varying but severe intensities over the year, three of them involving hospitalization.

My workplace suffered some financial reverses which have impacted me. Luckily my job is safe but four of our firm, or just under 1/3, have already been cut.

Goodbye to 2012. And not fondly.

[Pliny]

2012 was hopefully not the beginning but more the end of a tumultuous era.

[Guest American Woman]

It sounds as if you had a bad year, jbg, and I feel for you. I hope the next brings you more peace and happiness and good health to your family as well as job prospects for your co-workers. But to suggest "a more dreary, depressing year on the world stage is hard to imagine" - is hard to imagine. Look back at the history of the world; the natural disasters, the wars, the epidemics combined with the lack of medical knowledge that we have today, the hunger. We have our problems, but we are fortunate to be living in this day and age. Your post prompted me to Google "worst year in the history of the world," and ironically this came up:

Why 2012 was the best year ever

Never in the history of the world has there been less hunger, less disease and more prosperity

It may not feel like it, but 2012 has been the greatest year in the history of the world. That sounds like an extravagant claim, but it is borne out by evidence. Never has there been less hunger, less disease or more prosperity. The West remains in the economic doldrums, but most developing countries are charging ahead, and people are being lifted out of poverty at the fastest rate ever recorded. The death toll inflicted by war and natural disasters is also mercifully low. We are living in a golden age.

http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-week/leading-article/8789981/glad-tidings/

Again, my sympathies for how the events of this year affected your and yours personally, but I hope this helps overcome your heaviness of heart at least a little.

[jbg]

It sounds as if you had a bad year, jbg, and I feel for you. I hope the next brings you more peace and happiness and good health to your family as well as job prospects for your co-workers.

*******************

Again, my sympathies for how the events of this year affected your and yours personally, but I hope this helps overcome your heaviness of heart at least a little.

Thanks for your heartfelt post.

While for all I know things may have been great in some countries somewhere, overall, for the Western countries it has not been a good year.

[Bonam]

Thanks for your heartfelt post.

While for all I know things may have been great in some countries somewhere, overall, for the Western countries it has not been a good year.

Unfortunately, I think it is probably your family's medical situation that has cast a dark pall over this year for you personally. Otherwise, it has been a great year, including for Western countries.

[Guest American Woman]

Thanks for your heartfelt post.

While for all I know things may have been great in some countries somewhere, overall, for the Western countries it has not been a good year.

You're most welcome. I do, however, agree with Bonam. Hopefully you will be able to see a bit more of the good with time.

[jbg]

Unfortunately, I think it is probably your family's medical situation that has cast a dark pall over this year for you personally. Otherwise, it has been a great year, including for Western countries.

You're most welcome. I do, however, agree with Bonam. Hopefully you will be able to see a bit more of the good with time.

I'm thinking about the situation with the Euro Zone, and the uninspiring campaign and election in the U.S.

As far as the rest of the world, the Arab Spring has been an unmitigated disaster.

[Guest Manny]

While for all I know things may have been great in some countries somewhere, overall, for the Western countries it has not been a good year.

True, all these problems with the economy have really cut into my profit margin on the stock exchange. I mean, I still made a windfall, but...

[Bonam]

I'm thinking about the situation with the Euro Zone, and the uninspiring campaign and election in the U.S.

What was uninspiring about it? Despite some of the most bitter partisan divide and harsh rhetoric of recent history, the election was peaceful and orderly and all sides accepted the results.

[jbg]

What was uninspiring about it? Despite some of the most bitter partisan divide and harsh rhetoric of recent history, the election was peaceful and orderly and all sides accepted the results.

This is not Iran or Syria. Results tend to be accepted peacefully. Even Michael Moore didn't make good on this threat to move to Canada after the 2004 election didn't go his way.

[Guest]

This is not Iran or Syria. Results tend to be accepted peacefully. Even Michael Moore didn't make good on this threat to move to Canada after the 2004 election didn't go his way.

We wouldn't have him.

[Bonam]

This is not Iran or Syria. Results tend to be accepted peacefully

Thats the point. The US democratic institutions remain stable and resilient as ever despite all the challenges they face.

[BC_chick]

jbg, I have to agree with Bonam, I think your personal troubles are affecting the way you perceive the rest of the world. There world has always had troubles, 2012 is no different.

I hope you find a way to see the good again.

[jbg]

I hope you find a way to see the good again.

I am generally a pretty sunny and optimistic person. 1993, 2000 and 2006 were not great years for me but they were better years for the world. 1989 was a rather rough year for me but a great year for freedom and the world. Thus, I never would have penned similar posts for those years. A read of my profile (link) shows how I handle years such as 1972 and 1973, which had both awful and great aspects in my personal life. The world and U.S. posture were decidedly troubled both of those years, which featured Richard Nixon, Watergate, double-digit inflation and gasoline shortages.

In short, I can compartmentalize. 2012 was a solid bummer, with a few bright glimmers here and there.

[dre]

Continued Iranian progress in building a nuclear bomb

Where? Inside your head?

[jbg]

Where? Inside your head?

I'd love it if Iran would publicize where it's building.

[Guest Manny]

My son tends to link his personal problems to events happening around the globe as well. He watches too much news. Ever notice how the media loves to capitalize on bad news? You're getting all the bad news in the world there. Good news is boring and does not sell, so we don't hear anything about it. It skews the public perception.

[jbg]

Good news is boring and does not sell, so we don't hear anything about it. It skews the public perception.

I wouldn't exactly say that in 1989 the fall of the Berlin Wall was underplayed. Ditto the collapse of the Soviet Union.

[Guest Manny]

I wouldn't exactly say that in 1989 the fall of the Berlin Wall was underplayed. Ditto the collapse of the Soviet Union.

World leaders are not te only people who can commit good deeds. It happens everywhere, all the time. On your own street, in your own 'hood. Simple acts of kindness, generosity, help. The people who do these things often don't need to be recognized for it.

[BC_chick]

Gangnam Style made its debut, breaking the billion-view mark on YouTube.

Oh, wait, I see what you mean. Humanity is doomed.

[Wilber]

Hope things go better for you jbg. As far as the world goes, not so different. Sandy and Newtown would probably bend my perception of the year if I lived in the NY area.

[jbg]

Hope things go better for you jbg. As far as the world goes, not so different. Sandy and Newtown would probably bend my perception of the year if I lived in the NY area.

And think about it, the school in Newtown was named "Sandy Creek." Any bet how few babies are named "Sandy" in the near future?

[Wilber]

And think about it, the school in Newtown was named "Sandy Creek." Any bet how few babies are named "Sandy" in the near future?

Good point, hadn't thought about it. Sandy is a diminutive of Alexander or Alexandra among others. Wonder if they will be affected.

[jbg]

Good point, hadn't thought about it. Sandy is a diminutive of Alexander or Alexandra among others. Wonder if they will be affected.

Interesting. I never heard that diminutive. My formal name is James but I like to be called Jim.