One might think that the world situation is matching the despair and melancholy of my family’s recent grief…
—Benazir Bhutto, former two-time Prime Minister of Pakistan, and best hope for the making of a solution to the problems of her nation…assassinated!
—Kenya, once the most stable nation in Africa, being overtaken by political strife…with many whispering the word “Rwanda” in dark corners…
—Oil reaching $100 a barrel…and the world slowly approaching another energy crisis of its own making…
—Russia appointing a puppet successor to President Putin…who is unwilling to let go of the reins of power…
—Iraq and Afghanistan the same as they were this time last year…
—Winter returning with a vengeance to Canada!
The year 2008 has dawned with a continuing preoccupation over 2007’s trials and tribulations…and yet, tonight marks an event that could signal the beginning of huge change…or a period of even greater instability…
I’m referring to the Iowa Caucuses — the first major electoral event of the U.S. Presidential Primaries. In 11 months, one of the candidtates courting the voters of this midwestern state could become the leader of the free world. One of these men (and one woman) could finally remove the yolk of incompetence and stupidity that is George W. Bush from around the neck of their great nation…or they could disastrously follow his lead and plunge the world deeper into chaos and instability.
For me, tonight truly marks the start of 2008 — the first of many momentous decisions and events that will shape the next 12 months…and possibly shape events in the years to come. I’m hoping it will energize me, and take my mind off of recent events…but I’m also hoping it does so for the right reasons. Keep your fingers crossed…
And if you were wondering about who I might be cheering for tonight…I’m thinking the free world needs a woman to be in charge… 
