Reflecting back on our dystopian year
As we head into a new year, we would like to cast off the old one by recounting some of its most significant stories. Despite 2020’s awfulness, it was certainly historically unforgettable from start to finish.
The sad plight of the koalas: The New Year started with Australian bushfires that consumed 45 million acres and obliterated the habitat for koalas. The fires left a horrific trail of wreckage on human beings and every manner of wildlife, but the sad plight of the inexpressibly cute koala symbolized the horror of this event.
Droning on about Iran: The new year also heralded fears about another possible war, as the United States military launched a drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Iran vowed retaliation, but — unlike other omens from 2020 — such threats fortunately never materialized.
Britain finally approves Brexit: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson fulfilled his promise to extricate Great Britain from the European Union, in a wild parliamentary conclusion to a years-long battle. What will this arrangement mean for average Brits? “As it appears now, not very much,” concluded the Washington Post. At least one story ended with little drama.
An unimpeachable battle: In a normal year, the impeachment of a president would be a big deal, but the impeachment of President Trump quickly became a footnote. The Democratic House of Representatives said Trump abused his office and obstructed Congress’ investigation into whether he muscled Ukraine into investigating Joe and Hunter Biden. The GOP Senate voted to acquit. On to other things.
A powerful endorsement: As we approach Joe Biden’s inauguration, it’s easy to forget the scenario in February when his campaign was fading. Biden and front-runner Bernie Sanders headed to the South Carolina primary. Influential U.S. Rep. James Clyburn’s rousing endorsement of Biden galvanized the state’s African American vote, gave Biden a primary win and changed the race’s trajectory.
Gearing up for a global pandemic: There’s not much we can say that hasn’t been said, but it’s been ages since our nation — and the world — has faced such a life-altering publichealth crisis. COVID-19 has already claimed 336,000 American lives. The ensuing lockdowns have disrupted the economy, destroyed businesses and altered our everyday lives. This dominated our dour year.
A royal hissy fit: The decision by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to give up their British royal duties and move here to Montecito to work on their “brand” would typically have made for endless public fascination. Not this year.
Another Depression … or not: After governments imposed strict stayat-home orders and business closures, it seemed only a matter of time before the economy would tank. On March 16, the stock market saw its biggest one-day decline, and analysts predicted a depression. Stocks rallied and ended the year at record highs. Likewise, many feared a bursting housing bubble — but home values have soared to unseen levels. Oh, never mind.
Alien life forms or flying saucers: The Pentagon released videos of UFOs and — given everything else going on — no one cared.
Watch out for murder hornets: For a brief spell in May, everyone was frantic about a new menace — murder hornets. As the New York Times described them, “With queens that can grow to two inches long, Asian giant hornets can use mandibles shaped like spiked shark fins” to decapitate bees and fly off with their thoraxes. Charming, but fitting.
The horrific death of George Floyd and ensuing protests: Video images of a police officer kneeling on the neck of a Minneapolis man spread across the internet, sparking a long-needed national conversation about police practices. Unfortunately, out-of-control urban protests soured the public. Instead of leading to change, the issue polarized the nation further.
California was burning again: California wildfires have burned 4.2 million acres and killed 31 people this year, making it one of the worst fire seasons in ages.
A swarm of locusts descended on
Africa: NPR called it a “plague of Biblical scope,” as if we didn’t have enough plagues this year. What’s next — pestilence, boils, frogs and lice?
The death of an icon and birth of a political battle: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death in September led to well-deserved eulogies — quickly followed by a vicious political battle over her well-qualified replacement, Amy Coney Barrett. Nothing was amicable in Washington, D.C., this year.
A classless end to a tough defeat: Nearly two months after Joe Biden won the election, President Trump continues to rage-tweet baseless theories about voter fraud. His supporters like his norm-bending behavior, but his trading in conspiracies and behaving like a sore loser are embarrassing. We’ll have to wait and see whether the Secret Service must extricate him kicking and screaming from the Oval Office.
The Editorial Board wishes you a better 2021.