I truly wish the closing of 2008 gave license to our nation to breath a collective sigh of relief or served as some sort of litmus test to prove that we had, as a country, made it safely through an emotionally battering and tumultuous year. As idealists, we can ring in the new year with the confidence that a new administration will heal the ruinous image of our country amongst the rest of the world while licking the wounds of the millions of Americans whose lives have been crippled by the casualties of war and the recession. I wish I were more an idealist; however, I believe it is going to take many, many years of arduous work and commitment from our government and its people before any of us have license to breath a sigh of relief.
Despite a harrowing 2008, there were some pretty remarkable events that not only defined us a nation but united us in laugher, curiosity and good ol' fashioned happiness. Ying and yang teaches us that for every wonderful thing that happens something nefarious is preparing to unfurl. Therefore, my top ten list of exceptional occurrences wouldn't be complete without its counterpart of. From politics, to news to pop culture, here's is my list of the top and bottom of 2008.
Top Ten Wows of 2008
10. National Public Radio (NPR)
I'm a junkie for The New York Times, but even this prestigious publication got to me after a while with its emotionally-charged images. With up-to-the-moment coverage of world events, NPR's myriad of features from The Food Schmooze and Car Talk to jazz, literature and ecumenical features provided a welcomed release from the images of war, murder and the recession saturating us from virtually every newspaper and news channel.
9. Home for the Holidays
The brainchild of Wendy's founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, Home for the Holidays was a CBS special that featured families and children from across America as well as a slew of celebs, including lesbian mom Melissa Etheridge, and entertainers who are adopted, Faith Hill, Jamie Foxx and Kristin Chenoweth. There was no shortage of tears as unwanted children from across the country shared how it finally felt to have a real home and be loved by parents who wanted them--one of the most inspiring programs on primetime this year.
8. Facebook
With people working longer hours and spending less time with loved ones, we have become hard pressed to find quality time with the people who matter most. Technology has been responsible for consuming so much of our time and has proved itself a major offender in contributing to the isolation of young people. Ironically, it is also the same venue that has reunited millions of people who have been separated by time and even continents. Facebook proved a great way to reconnect with former classmates and childhood friends. In a world suffused with violence and turmoil, Facebookgranted us the gift of nostalgia in the midst of our own preoccupied lives.
7. Britney Spears's Comeback
With the tabloids relentlessly following her every move and lurking in the shadows, the last few years have been brutal for Spears. Granted, the pop princess was responsible for most of her woes, but the way the media and Hollywood exploited the young Spears was a travesty. Looking refreshed and better than she's looked in years, Spears's new album Circus has proved itself a bona fide success. Let's keep our fingers crossed that Spears continues to focus on both her career and children.
6. The Ellen and Portia wedding
Ellen DeGeneres brought national attention to her lesbian relationship when she unabashedly announced her wedding to partner Portia de Rossi on national television. What's wonderful about a celebrity like DeGeneres is her universality. Millions of people, gay and straight, tune in to the Ellen Show everyday. DeGeneres proved to viewers that gay marriage has not made her less funny, less compassionate or less the superstar we've loved for so long.
5. Brangelina
Forget about the fact that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are probably two of the most beautiful people in the world, their altruism is overpowering. Individually, both are concerned about human rights; together they single handedly saved a fallen city and the lives of thousands of children. Angelina's peace work in third world countries, coupled with Brad's mission to rebuild a greener, more eco-friendly New Orleans, make these two beauts a force to be reckoned with. Let us not forget that it's been Brad Pitt who has been more instrumental in rebuilding New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina than our own government.
4. Babies, Babies, Babies
2008 welcomed a slew of uber-spoiled babies of the rich and famous. Jo Lo and Marc Anthony welcomed twins, as did el loco Ricky Martin. Halle Berry's baby couldn't ruin her spectacular bod while Clay Aiken's baby's health crises put him through the emotional ringer. Despite copious amounts of money shelled out by the press for photos of the famous tykes, the holy grail of photos of the most famous twins of the year were those of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's babes. The millions of dollars paid to them for photos of their kids?...they donated it to charity,
3. Tina Fey
Some say Tina Fey's spot-on impersonation of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin cost the Republicans the election. I guess we'll never know. Fey's rendition of Palin on Saturday Night Live kept us in stiches throughout a campaign often times petty and laden with finger pointing and blame. Fey wowed us not only with her dead-ringer impression of Palin but did so in a manner free of any true malicious intent towards the Alaskan hockey mom. Fey was just what the country needed in not-so-very-funny times.
2. Hillary Clinton's appointment as US Secretary of State
Her appointment may be challenged as unconstitutional due to her recent salary increase as Senator, but Hillary Clinton has proven herself a stalwart politician and more than capable of playing with the big boys. Moreover, Clinton's no nonsense demeanor and skills as a proficient orator should serve her well. Let's not forget that the Clinton name also brings with it recognition and notoriety, which will hopefully bode well for the United States in matters of foreign policy.
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1. President-elect Barack Obama
For some the young President-elect is too idealistic and over zealous. Regardless, we are in dire need of the change Obama has promised. To the sorrow of millions of gays and lesbians, President-elect Obama has said many times that he is opposed to gay marriage. But other pressing issues facing our nation, specifically the crumbling economy, the decline of our image to the rest of the world and matters of national security must also take precedence. While we can only hope Obama reconsiders his position on same-sex marriage, we must equally hope that he fulfills his promise to rebuild our wounded nation. In that regard, change can't come fast enough.
Top Ten Woes
10. Grey's Anatomy Defunct Lesbian Storyline
ABC's ostensible pandering to the Right, as seen by the expeditious termination of the lesbian storyline on Grey's Anatomy and the sudden disappearance of lesbian doc Erica Hahn, played by Brooke Smith. Without any explanation or reason, the network dropped the lesbian storyline like a hot potato. What could have been a fantastic storyline and opportunity for lesbian visibility on one of the most popular primetime series was definitely a low point for the network in 2008.
9. Rosie O'Donnell's Variety Flop
Somewhere between her feud with The Donald and almost every one of her former co-hosts on The View, O'Donnell lost even more of her mind. For years the overly outspoken nutter has been collecting enemies and becoming ever more unpopular with each ridiculous strife. Her 2008 variety show was beyond a dud. Not even Broadway legend Liza Minnelli could rescue this lost cause. If Rosie wants a fight, she should beat herself up for thinking she was interesting enough to have her own show again.
8. Hurricane IKE
With damages in the billions and hundreds of people killed, Ike was one of the most destructive forces of nature to ravage the United States. Despite swifter action from the federal government to evacuate targeted areas, thousands of people lost their homes with much of the coastal landscapes either severely damaged or completely eradicated.
7. The Passage of Prop 8
A huge blow to California's gays and lesbians. This derisive piece of legislation was the senseless, mean-spirited act of homophobic politicians preying on the ignorance of their constituents. For the thousands of gays and lesbians who had already legally married in California, Prop 8 did nothing but undermine loving unions and serve as a bitter reminder of the hate facing the LGBT community.
6. Paul Newman's Death
One of the greatest philanthropists the country has ever known lost his life to cancer, marking September 26, 2008 one of the bleakest days in Hollywood history. The superstar with the famous blue eyes spent a lifetime not only entertaining but also engaged in humanitarian work. All the profits and royalties from his Newman's Own brand go towards numerous educational and charitable causes.
5. Jennifer Hudson's Tragedy
We often forget that celebrities are subject to the same tragedy as millions of other people, as was the case when Jennifer Hudson's family was brutally murdered. The country was stunned when news of the murders broke. What little hope in the midst of such a heinous tragedy dwindled when authorities found the body of Hudson's seven-year-old nephew, who disappeared after the crime.
4. Caylee Anthony's Murder
When most children are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Clause, the remains of two-year-old Caylee Anthony were found shortly before the Christmas holiday. The discovery of a child's remains would be horrible during anytime of the year but was especially painful because of its proximity to Christmas.
3. John McCain's refusal to endorse Sarah Palin
Now that doesn't seem like a very "mavericky" thing to do now, does it? When asked whether he would endorse Palin in a possible bid for the White House, McCain refused to give a definitive answer, stating that it was too early to commit to anything. What was that John...you think there are more qualified candidates than Palin? We would have never guessed you had reservations about your leading lady two months ago. What gives?
2. Obama's Choice of Rick Warren To Deliver Invocation Speech
If President-elect Obama is trying to rumple feathers before he even sets foot into office, his choice to have Evangelical pastor Rick Warren deliver the Invocation speech is the perfect way to go about ostracizing himself from the gay community. Warren has made no secret of his opposition to gay marriage and abortion, sentiments that have put him at odds with many Democrats. Obama's uplifting message of change has left many supporters scratching their heads.
1. The Housing Crisis
Excessive greed and poor oversight led to the subprime mortgage crisis, which in turn has had a debilitating effect on virtually all aspects of the American economy. The trouble began when financial institutions began writing inflated mortgages for people with troubled credit and low incomes. As a result, thousands of homeowners who could not afford the loans they had been approved for found themselves delinquent with their mortgages. The trickle down effect has been pervasive, crippling everyone from the automotive industry to the insurance giants.
