The Turning of Another Year

So, once again we come to the end of one year and the threshold of a new year. Well, it's kept up with the other years in craziness. At the same time, 2024 may have been more pivotal in terms of the direction the nation and the world are taking. Globally, wars and conflict continued unabated. Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine continues, as does the war between Israel and terrorist organizations backed by Iran, along with other lesser known wars in Africa, the Middle East, and other places that should receive more attention than they do.

The US presidential election certainly had it's bizarre turns: two (at least) assassination attempts on Donald Trump, the sudden withdraw of Pres. Biden from the race after the June debate revealed the decline in his condition that was obvious to many for a long time, and the sudden catapulting of VP Harris into a race that she was not prepared to handle. Donald Trump's historic comeback to the presidency in spite of all the legal and other obstacles hurled at him by powerful forces marks a turning point in the direction of the nation. However, the election was about more than Trump, Biden, or Harris or any person, party, or issue. It revealed the deep distrust of many toward the news and entertainment media, government, academia, and other entrenched cultural institutions.

There is hope in that truth and information are like water, seeping around the attempts by government and corporate entities to censor information and commentary that varies from their preferred narrative. Continuing economic hardship and uncertainty also adds to the sense that old alliances may be breaking down and that the political and social direction of society is truly up for grabs.

Meanwhile, the pace of advancement and innovation in science, technology, medicine, etc. continues to accelerate. The work of SpaceX, Blue, Origin, Rocket Lab, and other companies are rapidly enabling economical access to space, new capabilities in space, and the harvesting of resources beyond Earth for the benefit of future generations.

Well, personal lives and human history are seldom phased conveniently by the calendar, and are often marked by extreme  episodes of deception and depravity, but also many examples of heroism, kindness and soaring achievement. So, may we continue to make headway in protecting life and defending liberty while respecting the dignity of every person despite our differences. And may God's blessings and peace be upon you and yours and wishing all the best in this new year of 2025 and the amazing decades to come.