Welcome, 2006

Ahhhh, 2005.

Good riddance.

As for 2006, well, I don’t think that I have ever welcomed a year with more open arms. I am happy to put the images of the major natural disasters that occurred in 2005 behind me; although those that were directly affected are still dealing with the aftermath on a daily basis.

Although 2006 would seem to bring more promise, I am still dreading the late spring and summer of this year. The North American Hurricane Season has changed, friends. Storms will live through to their last gasp with more ferocity than ever due to the surface temperature of the oceans having increased. And the increase? Well, congratulations, folks. You have just won a big fat package of Global Warming!

The realist in me cringes while I continue to watch the American Soldier body count increase in Iraq, and our beleaguered president promising now not to rebuild Iraq as it is costing too much money. I am just throwing out a shot in the dark here, but I am thinking hmmm, how is this going to nurture a friendly alliance with an already war torn country that is plagued with a thousand year old personality disorder?

I digress.

What will 2006 bring? Or better yet, what will each of us bring to the year 2006?