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.

WHERE IS BRITAIN’S OBAMA?

ANOTHER week, another storm for the Prime Minister. Gordon Brown’s leadership skills were once again called into question by the media and a number of Labour party heavy weights.

After the furore to get a one to one with US President, Barak Obama at the UN and G20 – which left many pondering the ‘special relationship’ –Brown has ambled on to Brighton and to the Labour Party conference.

It has made me think about the up coming general election next year. Labour seems to be floundering and as Alistair Darling put it, has ‘lost the will to live’. The Conservatives don’t seem to be offering anything new or different apart from ‘savage cuts’, which could possibly worsen the UK’s economy. What choice is there?

Britain needs a change, the public are crying out for it. After the events earlier in the year regarding the MPs expenses scandal, there was a chance for real change and reform in British politics. The public felt disconnected to Westminster and many had lost confidence in their MPs. So far nothing has happened and it looks as though nothing will.

Remember though, It is not just Parliament that needs reform. The gap between rich and poor is the greatest since the 60’s. There need’s to be a tighter grip on the financial system to prevent a repeat of last September. The list could go on.

So it seems Britain is crying out for it’s own Obama, who unfortunately doesn’t seem to exist.

FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIREARMS

LAST week I caught a disturbing report on a change in gun law in Tennessee, America. The change could allow people to take guns into public spaces including restaurants and wait for it – bars.

To me this just shouted out stupidity, surely this was some sort of joke. Lets be honest mixing alcohol with firearms is completely safe and rational, just as drink driving is harmless and has never killed anyone! It doesn’t take the brightest mind to put guns and drink together to work out what could happen on a rowdy Friday night. A misguided comment is all that it could take for the local to turn into a blood bath.

Those in favour of the altered law suggest that it would make their lives safer if they could carry around guns in public spaces. Of course the best way to stop someone murdering your loved one is to pull out a gun on the gunman. The argument supporting the change in law seems to suggest fighting fire with firearms. How a weapon can ever be used in a positive way is beyond me.

To an extent the proposal does not surprise me that much, this is the South of America we are talking about. Many Americans are sickly devoted to the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, the 200 year-old right to bear arms. Some estimate that one in four Americans own a gun, which is roughly 76,000,000 people. That is a large number of guns.

All I can say is that I am glad that my constitution does not permit me or my neighbour the right to bear arms (all be it there is no written constitution but that is a completely different minefield).