Now that the book has been closed on the year 2007, many will ask what will 2007 be remembered for? Fortunately, there were no major natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina or the tsunami that devastated so much of the Far East. Thankfully, there were no terrorist attacks like the ones that shook the world in years past. And while the Presidential election has been certainly front and center on the political scene, there were no major political shifts in 2007 like the one that occurred in 2006 when Democrats captured control of both Houses of Congress.
The fact is that many may remember 2007 for what did not happen as opposed to what did.
Of course, in Atlanta, the biggest thing that did not happen was rain. The drought dominated the news as Lake Lanier dropped to historic lows and Atlanta tinkered on the edge of economic catastrophe. As Atlantans pulled together to conserve water, Governor Perdue led a prayer meeting at the State Capitol - and it worked. The rain came. While much remains to be done in terms of preparing Georgia so that future water shortages can be averted, Atlanta’s water supply is slowly recovering thanks to a much needed rainy Christmas season.
While Atlanta welcomed the rain, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick toiled in prison for illegal dog fighting. His unconscionable conduct made the news around the country in 2007. The descriptions of Michael Vick’s treatment of dogs horrified Americans and disgraced him, and rightly or wrongly, Atlanta. From the pinnacles of popularity to the pit of disdain, Michael Vick now suffers some real pain (personal and financial) of his own. Yet, unlike Michael Vick and his dog fighting compatriots, no one has taken much pleasure in his demise. For twenty-three months, he will have to think about his crime - and about a career that could have been.
Of course, Michael Vick was not the only celebrity to fall on hard times in 2007. Others stumbled as the country watched daily on cable news. Paris Hilton discovered that fame and money may not be enough to avoid jail time for disobeying the law. Lindsay Lohan discovered the same. Anna Nicole Smith proved that things do catch up. And Britney Spears - well, enough said.
While these women proved that they could be every bit as bad as men, other women proved they can just as good and effective and powerful. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi became the first female Speaker in history. And while her gender did not get her the job, it has also not protected her from the accountability the position requires. Senator Hillary Clinton has endured tough political scrutiny and remains a leading candidate to become her party’s nominee and possibly the next President of the United States.
Then there is Benazir Bhutto - a heroic and historic person. She simultaneously demonstrated how far women have come, and how far they have yet to go - especially in countries and among religions that fail to recognize women as equal and important members of civilized societies. Her campaign for Prime Minister of Pakistan may have ended in death, but her quest to defeat radical terrorists must go on - in Pakistan and in the United States.
General David Petraeus helped with this effort by leading the surge in Iraq to unexpected success. This is no small thing and the world owes him a debt of gratitude. Americans also owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who selflessly serve in America’s military, whom General Petraeus has aptly bestowed the title of the “New Greatest Generation.”
In addition to the war against terror, immigration topped the list of issues that was important to Americans in 2007. Just as it appeared that Washington, D.C. insiders had worked another political deal aimed at granting amnesty to people who had entered the United States illegally, Americans stood up and said “NO.” The politicians heard them, and the immigration deal of 2007 was defeated.
In contrast, on October 27, 2007, Georgia stood up and said “YES.” The Georgia football team heard them, and the Georgia Bulldogs won. It started with a huge dog pile in the end zone after an early touchdown score. It ended with a final score of Georgia 42 - Florida 30. There was sweet justice in the fact that the Florida Gators’ final fourth quarter comeback drive ended with a fumble by Florida quarterback (and 2007 Heisman trophy winner) Tim Tebow. It was the year of the Dawg.