Year in Review

Some people like to think about the year that is now ending. I am not sure if I am one of those but I decided to write about the year in review to see how it went.

I am sure most people would agree that 2014 was a different year than most. Going into 2015 the thing I want to remember about 2014 is there any way we can learn from it. There was so much tragedy that happened throughout the year.

In Washington state and the northwest it started out good with the Seattle Seahawks beating up the Denver Broncos in February to win their first Super Bowl. This current season may look like they could win a second Super Bowl as well. The Seattle Mariners had a good baseball season so we can look as fans going to a World Series real soon. It would be great to have both in the same year.

In March Oso, Washington had a mudslide that killed many of the people living there. They are still working on recovery; hopefully, 2015 will be a better year. On June 4 there was a shooting on the campus of Seattle Pacific University. One student and the gunman were shot. There was a student at the university who was a hero by shooting the gunman or it could have been a lot worse. In September, a popular freshman high school student in Marysville shot and killed four of his close classmates, and himself. There was one student that survived the shooting. No one really knows for sure why the shooting occurred. It will be a long time recovery for the high school and the town.

On the national front there was the shooting of Michael Brown by the police, and an awful outcry with protesting in Ferguson, Missouri as well as other protests across the country. So the issue black/white racial issue raised its head once again. The grand jury found the Policeman that shot Michael Brown not at fault which brought the protesting. Personally I think there needs to be more minority policemen in areas that have trouble with minorities. This would not just be with blacks but Hispanics as well.

In Seattle the city police force among some of their members are wearing cameras while on patrol. This is a testing ground to see if it will help. Also, in Washington State a measure was passed by the voters to have gun control. The purpose is so those who purchase guns will fall through any loop holes. Of course, the pro gun people, and those who do not want to lose their 2^nd amendment rights. It is important that we do not lose any amendment rights, however, the question is how do we keep people safe as well.

On the international front was the Russian-Ukraine conflict which occurred just after the Olympics; somewhat interesting to say the least. I pray for both the Russians and the Ukraine’s. I hope that life will become safe in both areas in 2015. There was shooting down of an airplane in that area as well. Also, another plane in Malaysia is missing for most of the year, and no one knows where it is. This week another plane went down as well. They believe it crashed in the ocean. We will learn about it in the near future.

We continue to hear the whole issues still happening in the Middle East with terrorists doing their thing; issues happening in Africa as well without much news going on. Also, hacking going on giving it to North Korea as well.

I could go on and on but I will not. Going into 2015, and beyond will we learn from all these tragedies or let them continue. We can think in our minds of dooms day, but I think it is better to think positive instead; for all of us to think about the good things that happened in our lives in 2014, and overcoming some things as well. Regardless what we think there is war going on all around us whether is in the natural or in our minds; important to get peace for each of us in the middle of it all.

Have a Happy New Year and enjoy the rest of your holiday.