By Staff
Jason Cannon
As the sun begins to set on 2007, I would like to take the opportunity to look back at some of the things that have made headlines in the past 12 months.
From a news standpoint, 2007 was a year full of headlines and snippets from religion to arts and entertainment.
As I reflect on my Top 10, I would like to preface this list by saying I don't consider these the 10 biggest or the most important, just 10 I found to be both unexpected and interesting.
10. The inexplicable collapse of Britney Spears. I am in no way a fan of her music and the fact that even the most uninteresting details of her life makes every gossip rag and talk show in the world disgusts me. However, in all my 27 years, I have never seen someone who seems to have everything anyone could ever ask for drive their life into the toilet so quickly.
9. Filmmakers claim to have found Jesus' tomb. While filming a documentary titled "The Lost Tomb of Jesus," crews supposedly unearthed a tomb containing the remains of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and their son. Now, I won't attest to the validity of those claims but that 90 minute Discovery Channel special was a hot topic for debate. Nearly a year later, there is still not concrete proof either way.
8. Michael Vick and his dogs. Being a devout sports fan, there had to be at least one sports story on the list. Sure baseball's steroids scandal was big news but that's still in its infantile stages. Michael Vick's decent into the pits of despair was both swift and unexpected. After admitting his involvement in a dog-fighting ring, Vick's life became a train wreck equivalent to the young lady who found herself at No. 10 on this list – the lone exception being Ms. Spears managed to stay out of jail.
7. Gas prices hit record highs and recent memory record lows. In about May of 2007, gas in this area dropped to about $1.98 per gallon – for about two days. It then rose steadily to nearly $3, and slightly above $3 in some areas. Those two days were great, though. I think I filled up at least three or four hours, knowing all too well it wouldn't last.
6. California nearly burned down. Wildfires ripped through the state for nearly a month, causing billions of dollars in damages. Showing no discrimination, the blaze got a few celebrity homes along the way.
5. Anna Nicole Smith dies. Again, not to fill this list up with washed up celebrities but this one was mind-boggling. First her adult son dies in her hospital room hours after she gave birth to his baby sister. A few weeks later, she follows him. The endless line of men claiming to be the baby's father was arguably the most ridiculous and most interesting part of the whole mess.
4. The iPhone. Anytime you've got people lined up outside an AT&T store like they're going to buy tickets to another Star Wars movie, you've got something big. For about a month, the iPhone was hard to get and the thing to have. Apple's first venture into the cell phone business was a success and I think this story grows legs for 2008. I expect at least a bi-annual launch of some new Apple/AT&T gizmo for the next few years.
3. China is trying to kill us. If it was made in China it was recalled in 2007. No, not really but it seemed that way. Things ranging from toys with lead paint to defective tires to tainted toothpaste and food were all taken off store shelves.
2. Minnesota bridge collapse. An Interstate 35 bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed during the rush hour on Aug. 1, killing 13 people and injuring about 100. Inspections were ordered across the nation at just about every bridge spanning any body of water or of any discernable length.
1. Virginia Tech mourns. This makes number one for a host of reasons, one of which is that it's a sad reminder that we're never as safe as we think we are. The outpouring of support from across the nation was staggering and offered a different kind of reminder – Americans know how to circle the wagons and support our own.
It's been a fun and wild nearly 365 days. There's no reason to expect anything any different in 2008.
Gas prices will continue to climb. The war in Iraq will continue to fester at some level and as an added bonus, we've got a presidential election on the horizon.
Those are always fun.
My thanks for a newsworthy 2007 and here's to hopes for another newsworthy 2008.