By SJ Otto
Once again it is time for a review of the important stories that that shaped our lives, or should I say; made us queasy. So here the events and stories that made 2016 the year that was:
January
The Flint Michigan water scandal broke. We saw that government turned its head while poor people had to suffer through an antiquated system of a sub-standard water system.
.
February
This was the month a great friend of mine and Kansas writer Tim Pouncey died. He was well known here in Kansas .
March
The US rejected North (Democratic Peoples Republic of) Korean peace talks. For the rest of President Barack Obama's term the US has had nothing but belligerence for that country. The DPRK has developed a nuclear bomb arsenal to protect themselves.
There was a major terror attack on Brussels, in an airport, by ISIS(Islamic State). It was a tragedy, but NATO countries should expect this from a Middle east group they are at war with.
May
Peace talks had begun between the Columbian Government and the Armed Revolutionary Forces for Colombia (FARC) to end their civil war. Since the guerrillas were only fighting for reforms they got what they wanted. The war ended and the can now be a political party.
June
We had an election:
The Democratic Party cheated to stop the supporters of Bernie Sanders- Many young people across the country were disappointed to find out that the Democratic National Committee intentionally tried to stop Sanders in favor of Hillary Clinton.
The Orlando Gay Club Shooting was probably the worst terrorist shooting this country has ever seen. Almost 50 people shot in a gay club in Florida . The shooter decided he was inspired by ISIS .
There was massive flooding in Texas
August
An Earth-like planet was discovered around Proxima Centauri, which is the closest star to earth.
The Olympics took place and local people protested that they were not allowed to take part in the events.
September
There was a Syrian ceasefire. It went no where. It didn't last. The fighting was completely unnecessary and all it did was cause human suffering.
A new abortion clinic opened in Oklahoma City, owned by South Wind Women's Service. The South Wind organization has fought to bring legal abortion services to the women of Kansas and opening in Oklahoma was a major step against the anti-abortion crowd and their religious-right backers.
October
The US invaded Mosul to dislodge ISIS. This was obviously a stunt to help Clinton
Vengeful Colombia Colombia
November
Fidel Castro died, bringing an end to more than half a century of standing up to the US
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has stood up to the US
So Donald Trump won the election, with less that 50 percent of the vote, but he manipulated the electoral collage. A lot of people I know have said "let's just wait and see what Trump actually does." Well, he has already picked some of the worst right-wing scum bags for his cabinet. We can tell what he plans to do and it is NOT good.
In Turkey there was a failed coup against the government of Tayyip Erdogan. So now he has grabbed power in what can only be described as a fascist take-over. He is slowly taking away the people's democratic rights.
The Koch Brothers, David and Charles arein the process of taking full control of a Kansas university known today as Wichita State University
December
Trump has appointed an ambassador to Israel, David M. Friedman, who is nothing but trouble. He is farther to the right than their present leader Benjamin Netanyahu. He plans to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem and he plans to support the Israeli settlements on the West Bank which will pretty much kill any chance of a peace agreement.
Who knows what this new year will bring. But we will get to see soon enough. So hello 2017. Let the new year begin.
![]()
Janus was the ancient god who saw both the past and future at the same time.
Pix by National Geographic News, Pinterest.