Hot and Cold

the stock market plunging close to 200 points due to the minister's death in pakastan.

I'd have to say the MN. bridge. Not only was it a huge story, but it made other cities (finally) really look at their own bridges.

That was a sad, sad day.

For me on a personal level is was the death of my father on July 2nd, only 4 days shy of his 63rd birthday.

As far as a National story though, it would be a toss up between the 35W and the V-tech massacre.

As much as I hate to say it, my initial reaction to V-tech was "Here we go another school shooting." I really was not surprised by that, and that was something that bothered me at the time and still does.

I really was not surprised about the shooting until I heard how many had been killed.

As far as the 35W...That was a bridge I traveled alot when I go to the cities, I also have relatives who live a few blocks from the bridge.

Bombing of car in front of house. Moving. Working 20-hour shifts. Having both vehicles vandalized in the parking lot - couldn't get to work - FOUR TIMES! Moving. Ice storms - four in one week! Loss of mother the day before Christmas. (Currently in a holding pattern - just trying to breathe regularly). I hope I make it to the end of 2007 in one piece.

Packers winning the division title...still this is a pleasant surprise!SUPERBOWL

The most horrific news would be the loss of young lives due to car accidents. Three young men were killed from Mukwonago High School in crash near the Dells. I hug my 5 year old so often, thinking of those families and how they are dealing with the loss of a child. Please pray for the families of Chris, Christian and Derek, as well as many other sons and daughters who have died this year.

All the stories are truly tragic and our thoughts and prayers go out to all who've suffered personal tragedies in 2007. But to me, the really big shockers of 2007 happened not as dramatic tragedies, but as subtle changes to the very meaning of how we all live.

In 2007 we've seen more of our Constitutional rights and freedoms dismantled, more of our national treasury sold off, wasted or pissed away and more of our free speech suppressed than in the last 100 years.

From the December 18th FCC ruling to allow MORE media consolidation, to the Net Neutrality laws privatizing the internet, to the wholesale dismantling of PBS, the Military Commissions Act which allowed for government surveillance of US citizen's phones, internet and financial records as well as removing Habeas Corpus and allowing for Torture, kidnapping and secret prisons in hostile nations... to the recent Homegrown Terrorism Bill that passed the house and is running through Congress making terrorists of anyone who disagrees with the government... and we've already seen what we've allowed us to do to people we call terrorists...

yes personal tragedy is a horrific ordeal, but the shear number of horrific things that are now permitted by the legislative actions of our leaders in 2007 is to me, clearly the biggest shock of 2007.

My big story of 2007 was also personal and health-related. I got my diagnosis of Celiac Disease in Sept, and that means I have to totally change my diet and lifestyle. That and having to deal with MRSA late this year. Frankly, the stories about people shooting up in public places, then shooting themselves don't shock me any more. Sadden me, yes. Disgust me? definitely. Anger me? for sure. But I am not shocked by them any more.

Thanks to all of you for your condolences. Your thoughts are very much appreciated.