The Turn of the Year
The end of a year is always a time to look back on its impact on the world. This year is ending with the immense tsunami tragedy in the Indian Ocean region.

The 2004 elections may be remembered as a 'tipping point' where citizens were engaged and energized to fight hard for both sides, but with President Bush winning re-election to the White House and conservative Republicans increasing their margins in Congress. While no person or party has a monopoly on virtue or ideas, we have hopefully moved a little closer to restoring authentic constitutional law and to protecting human life at all stages.

W began the year by announcing a new Vision for Space Exploration while NASA probes brought exciting new images and information from Mars, Saturn and elsewhere. But it was the exciting breakthrough in the private sector with the flights of SpaceShipOne and the winning of the Ansari X-Prize which will make the Vision more likely to succeed and live up to its full potential for humanity.

Finally, ABC News has made its choice for the 'People of the Year' who've influenced events: Bloggers.

On to 2005! Happy New Year!