END OF THE DECADE - PART TWO

IT is just about a week to go now until the New Year and the new decade. This is the second part of the review of the Noughties. War, terror, climate change and the boom and bust economy have all played a big part in the last 10 years.

JULY 7^TH BOMBINGS

The first week of July 2005 was one of London’s most memorable of the decade. London had just played host to a global concert (Live 8) to persuade G8 leaders to end poverty in Africa. On July 6^th London was announced as the host city for the 2012 Olympics but the party atmosphere was short lived. On July 7^th suicide bombers detonated explosives on the capital’s tube network and a bus. 52 people were killed and almost 700 injured.

The 7/7 bombings in London like 9/11 changed the way we now live. Government, under the guise of anti-terrorism, have tried and sometimes failed to enforce draconian legislation impacting on civil liberties. The failed 90-day detention law, the over use of section 44 of the anti-terrorism act (stop and search) are just a couple of examples. We live in constant suspicion – which is often over hyped by government and the media. If we are not careful our rights and liberties will be taken away in the name of anti-terrorism, and the Terrorists will have won.

WAR

In the Noughties, Britain was taken into two major conflicts. Both were in the name of anti-terror. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and President George W Bush acted together to invade Iraq – under what can be seen as false pretences. Although the cruel dictator, Saddam Hussein was removed from power, the US and UK’s reputation was severely damaged.

The war in Afghanistan is seen to be more justified, but since 2001 it has taken the lives of many service men and women. The war has spanned most of the decade and looks set to continue into the next.

THE RECESSION!

We started off the decade in fairly good economic health. House prices increased considerably, we spent large amounts of money and we thought we had never had it so good. But, by the later part of the decade Britain and most of the world were plunged into economic doom and gloom. Due to huge amounts of debt, endless credit cards, ridiculously large mortgages, and a great deal of doggy bank activity the UK is in one of the worst recessions ever which we are yet to recover from.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change has become one of the world’s most important issues this decade. In the early years of the noughties it was a thought in the back of people’s minds, now we can barley escape it. Most world leaders are facing up to the consequences that could arise from a rise in global temperatures. Yet the recent climate summit in Copenhagen will probably change little. There could well be problems into the next decade as water, food and land becomes scarce, especially in the poorer developing countries.

FACEBOOK, MYSPACE & A LOT OF APPLES

Technology and the Internet now play a really big part in our daily lives. This was probably unimaginable ten years ago. The popularity of twitter, Youtube and Facebook changed how we communicate. We expect things instantly, TV on demand or through the Internet and BBC iplayer or 3G and WI-FI on our phones. Blackberries and iphones and countless other gadgets have revolutionised our lives, and sometimes not for the better.

So that's it for the round up of the Noughties. If you think something was missed out or you have something else to say then do feel free to add your comments.

I hope you enjoyed it and have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

END OF THE DECADE - PART ONE

THE Noughties are fast drawing to a close. At the end of first decade of the 21^st century the world is a changed place. We started off the new millennium with great hopes, the only fear was an over hyped computer bug, which in the end never existed. We leave the decade in recession, facing huge debt, worries over climate change and a great number of other global concerns.

Here is the first part of the top ten events that have shaped our decade. It’s one opinion so you are welcome to add your thoughts to it.

SEPTEMBER 11^TH 2001

The Al-Qaeda terror attacks in New York, in which two passenger jets were crashed into the World Trade Centre Twin Towers, shaped the decade. In the early days of the Noughties the world’s biggest concern had been Y2K bug. Over a year and a half later, the West was fast approaching a road to war that would last longer than World War 2.

The 9/11 terror attacks have to a great extent shaped our decade and the way we live. The fear of terror has been used greatly by politicians, the state, and even police to control citizens lives like never before. More surveillance, an erosion of human and civil rights are just a few of the consequences.

BUSH ELECTED AS PRESIDENT

George W Bush was elected to the White House in 2000. Bush, probably one of the most prominent politicians of the decade, but not always for the right reasons, led the US to war in two countries and took it upon himself to ‘fight terror’.

Though he may have done more harm to the democratic state of the world then good he certainly gave us much entertainment. Whether it was chocking on a pretzel or giving somewhat unintelligible speeches, he is defiantly one President the US will not be able to forget in a hurry.

THE BEIJING OLYMPICS

The 2008 Beijing Olympics signalled a big turning point for global politics. As the Communist super state with ever increasing wealth could no longer be ignored by the West. Near the end of the decade emerging super states and powers like China, India and Brazil slowly started to become more powerful on the world stage. It seems that power maybe slowly shifting from the West to East.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

History was made in the US in 2008 when Barack Hussein Obama became the first black man to be elected to office of President of the United States. Promising hope, change and reform he also embarked on a much-needed attempt to change the world’s view of America, which had been eroded by President Bush.

SUSAN BOYLE & CELEBRITY BIG BRITAIN’S STRICTLY GOT THE X-FACTOR

Susan Boyle, now a global sensation, represents the craze and obsession over reality TV. Whether it was Big Brother, Pop Idol, Popstars, Strictly Come Dancing, I’m a Celebrity, the X-Factor or Britain’s Got Talent, in the noughties we became a nation obsessed by reality TV. Whether it was the z-list celebrities or hard done by sob stories from contestants, the cheap to make, formulaic shows, have become a staple of prime time television.

And in an age of digital diversity and the ability to choose from a vast number of channels these shows have drawn the country together, lately amassing audiences of up to 19 million.

WORLD AIDS DAY

WORLD AIDS DAY 2009

Today (Tuesday 1^st December) is world aids day, a day to raise awareness and help to remove the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off illnesses. This will often develop into AIDS – where the sufferers’ immune system becomes too weak to fight off infection. It is estimated that 33 million people around the world are living with HIV, and about two million people die every year.

The sad thing is that HIV/AIDS is preventable, with the right education and protection the rate of infections could be reduced. Added to this there is a big stigma attached to those who are HIV positive. The disease is most commonly passed on through unprotected sex or sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment. It is not passed on by kissing, shaking hands with or being in the same room as an HIV positive person. World Aids Day attempts to break down the barriers, dispel the myths and stop the discrimination.

In the UK HIV/AIDS is often seen as a disease caught by gay men. Although the majority of the HIV positive population are gay or bisexual, in 2008 more heterosexuals were diagnosed with HIV then gay men. People need to remember that anybody can catch HIV/AIDS. No one is immune.

Elsewhere, Sub Saharan Africa is affected by HIV/AIDS more than any other region in the world. It is estimated that 22.4 million are living with the virus in the region. Access to antiviral drugs is limited due to a lack of funding. And support for those with HIV/AIDS is not always available. The stigma is much worse in Africa and life can be really tough for those suffering from the disease due to the ignorance and lack of education about HIV/AIDS. (Find out more about HIV/AIDS in Africa here).

Maybe one thing you could do today for World Aids Day would be to find out the truth about HIV/AIDS, help dismiss the myths and remove the stigma after all isn’t everyone human?