My Two Cents

Happy 2010!

Now that 2009 is officially over, let's take a look at what we learned ...



Some already knew these things, others suspected them, but just weren't sure, and others were amazingly completely blind to them.

We learned that George W Bush could not summon a rational thought to save his life. That his entire administration was nothing more than a rouse; that the war on terror should have been fought in Afghanistan, where the terrorists are. We also learned that GWB and his cronies are guilty of crimes against humanity, but that we, as a nation, are too chickenshit to see that justice is done.

We learned too, that truly anyone born in the United States of America can become president. All circumstances of our lives can be risen above and anyone can achieve greatness.

We also learned that bads things really do happen to good people, as foreclosures rang through the land. The bottom dropped out of our economy and those with the least lost the most. We were taught that no matter what your intentions are, or how pure your motives, that there will always be someone to stand in your way. Look at the United States Congress.

We saw the death of a pop star get more press coverage than the death of a legend, (Sen. Kennedy.) So too, we became privy to the fact that Fox News anchor's spend more time with their feet in their mouths than not.

We learned that war is ugly and peace can be clicked for.

We also learned that reducing production costs is more important than human lives. That turning a profit is more important than providing quality products and services to the very people who produce those profits.

We learned that our planet has grown tired of our self-indulgence at her expense, and she's lashing out. We are completely powerless and small against Mother Nature.

We learned that human entertainment is more important than the lives of other living creatures such as: wolves, polar bears, and grizzly bears.

I honestly hope that we also learned that there is something that we can do to change these things. Each one of these negative things that we've learned can be reversed. All it takes is a shift in attitude by everyone. If everyone were to open their minds to possibilities, the harmony would be resounding and the Universe would answer with the same intensity.

All of the negative in the world is brought upon us by ourselves. We spend so much time focused on every bad thing we can think of and bring it all to bear. If we spent that much energy on the positive things we'd like to see in the world, we would see them, just as we see all of the bad we focus on now.

I believe that President Obama will do great things for not only this country, but the world at large. I believe that we will once again be able to talk on the phone, surf the Internet and watch T.V. without worry of being spied upon. I believe that health care reform will become a reality in the United States. I believe that the Bush administration will be tried for war crimes. I believe we will see a surge in peace and justice in the world. I believe that one day humans will learn to live with the animals that have occupied this land a lot longer than we have; no longer feeling the need to 'kill something.' My philosophy is this: If you shoot it , you eat it. Therefore, if you're not going to eat it you shouldn't be killing it. People or animals. Since humans do not eat humans, people shouldn't be killing one another, should they?

I believe that people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol will come to the realization that their lives are worse off because of it, not better. That they will get sober and start living again. I believe that chemo patients will win the right to use marijuana without federal harassment.

Furthermore, I believe that one day all people will learn to live in peace and harmony. We are all made of the same stuff; therefore, we are more alike than different.

These are some of the things I plan to focus on in this new year. What will you see?

Trina L.C. Sonnenberg
Author, publisher, freelance writer