Welcome to the first day in the year 2010. This last decade has gone by in the mere blink of an eye, at least it seems to have gone by that quickly.
Some major world events have happened including the tragedies of 9/11 and the resulting wars George W. Bush forced us into under the guise of protecting the United States from terrorism such as those events on 9/11. In reality Iraq had noting to do with 9/11 and the war in that country were started for other unjust reasons. The war with Al Qaeda in the Afghanistan area on the other hand is related to terrorism. Though the war in Afghanistan may be a just cause the resulting deaths of US an allied forces and innocent bystanders is unfortunate to say the least. I hope that this year sees the withdrawal of US and allied forces from Iraq in a timely manner.
Last year began the Presidency of Barack Obama which carried with him the hopes of not only Americans yearning for change but also a world which has grown weary of US politics that push American values on people of other countries. President Obama had more expectations to live up to than any other person in modern times, it would be nearly impossible to meet them all in the time promised. In my personal pinion he has done a good job though I think he underestimated the difficulty of fulfilling these promises and as a result he is behind in these tasks. If he is able to keep momentum and his values remain strong I feel it likely that progress will continue even if at a slower rate than was initially predicted.
These last ten years have presented me with personal struggles and challenges which I have so far been able to overcome or otherwise endure and my outlook for the next ten years is positive and hopeful. My three nieces were born in this decade and while they live too far away for regular visits they are often thought of and I look forward to the times when I can visit them.
Many people make New Years resolutions, I on the other hand have never been one to take part in this particular custom. Instead of making a resolution I simply intend to make the most of the New Year and do what I can make each passing year better than the last.
