It is almost time to ring in 2010. A lot of websites are doing their Best of 2009 lists. In the name of having some good, clean, everyone can join in without calling names, community fun, I thought we could collectively make a Best of 2009 list among dKos members.
What were the news stories of 2009 that riveted you most??
Right now, CNN.com has a site up where you can rank your top 10 stories of 2009. Of the top stories the site makes available for ranking, I'm surprised that maybe two of the stories that I found interesting in 2009 made it to the list.
Ok, maybe I shouldn't be surprised. Clearly the things that make news around here aren't the things that make news in the wild blue yonder.
Some of the things that make my list of riveting news stories were featured on Keith's Whack Job list last night and other things didn't.
Here is my top five list of stories that mattered to me in 2009, some politically meaningful, others not so much:
- Obama's inauguration.
No explanation needed here really. I thought what made it more interesting than it already was was the stink some made over the botching of the oath and the need for Obama to take it again.
- Health Care Reform protest rallies at town halls during the month of August.
Right wing insanity and misinformation at its finest. Loved reading the misspelled, hatefilled protest signs.
- Opposition to gay marriage rights, including Carrie Prejean opposite marriage and related fallout stupidity.
Sad to see that we haven't become capable as a society in giving equal rights to everyone in this country. Carrie Prejean became the poster child for the small-mindedness of some in our country. Sad to see so many in states like California and Maine work so hard for equality. Fun to watch Keith having fun at her expense -- particularly after the Larry King Live interview. What a train wreck.
- The burning of Michael Brewer in Florida by a group of teens using rubbing alcohol.
This story really got to me and I found myself trying to get information on his well-being when his name was out of the news. Bullying and violence among kids is such an important issue.
- The death of Ted Kennedy.
We lost a political icon this year. It especially touched my family as my husband was a former Kennedy intern. Especially dramatic given the health care reform debate. One wonders what might have been different if the Lion of the Senate was still around.
So there's my top 5 list, sort of off the cuff.
I can think of many other important and crazy stories that made headlines here at dKos and in other traditional media outlets. I'm curious to know what is on your list of the top five news stories of 2009 and why. I think it will also be interesting to note what media sources actually covered these stories. . . I'm betting most of the stories that mattered to people here got very limited play in the traditional media.
Can't wait to see your best of 2009 list!