Looking Back at the 10 Biggest Stories of 2002

Discuss this on our boards!

Looking Back at the 10 Biggest Stories of 2002
by Robert Yoho, Columnist and Senior Editor

January 9, 2003

"Eye on Conservatism"

Columnist Robert Yoho 1. No Foreign Terrorist Attacks in America in 2002

The biggest story in America this past year had to be the story that wasn’t. Whether it was good work done by our Commander-in-Chief and the intelligence community, or just plain good luck, we will never know. Whatever the reason, Americans were safe from foreign terrorists in their homes, communities, and places of business. As Martha Stewart would say, "That is a good thing."

2. The Sniper Attacks

Although Americans were untouched by terrorist threats from abroad, Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas were paralyzed by the shootings at home. For 3 weeks in October, it was not safe for Virginia or Maryland residents to send their children to schools, to go shopping, or to gas up their cars in a local convenience store. John Allen Muhammed, 41, and John Lee Malvo, 17, were responsible for the deaths of 10 people and the wounding of 3 others.

The media profiling experts were all wrong on this one! The sniper was certainly not an "angry white male" as so many predicted. Despite the grisly actions of these animals, the only pictures the media served up to the public portrayed them as smiling and affable.

3. Sexual Abuse by Catholic Priests

The Catholic Church was embarrassed by revelations of child abuse in the clergy and the actions that were taken by the church hierarchy to keep these abuses a secret.

Sexual perverts who prey on children and teenager must be punished! The punishment should be doubled for those so-called "religious" enablers who willingly stand in the way of justice. It is incumbent on people of faith that they stand as a hedge between the evil and the innocent.

4. Fraudulent Business Practices Made Public

In these times of market instability, corporate CEOs were brought to account for their questionable accounting practices. Whether it was Ken Lay’s shady dealings at Enron or allegations of Martha Stewart’s insider trading, America turned the spotlight on the cockroaches who betrayed their investors.

5. The War Against Terror Continues

Despite our initial successes in Afghanistan and our on-going assaults on Al Queda, America military personnel still suffered some casualties in the war against terrorism. The war is not over, but America is clearly making progress in taking the fight to our enemies.

6. Coal Miners Rescued in Pennsylvania

After being trapped underground for three days, nine men were rescued from a flooded Pennsylvania coal mine. For a country still reeling from the attacks of September 11th, this story had a happy ending. The good guys won again! A nation wept with the families and rejoiced with them when the rescued miners were lifted out one-by-one.

7. Saddam Hussein and Iraq

President Bush made regime change in Iraq one of his foreign policy priorities. Along the way, the Commander-in-Chief had to persuade Americans, Congress, and the United Nations to follow his lead. The UN inspectors are back in Iraq, but Saddam has not changed. Many believe war is inevitable.

8. Reporter Daniel Pearl Abducted and Killed

Wall Street Journal reporter Pearl was abducted while researching a story about a connection between Pakistani Islamic extremists and terrorism. But most of all, Pearl was beheaded simply because he was an American and a Jew. The freedom of the press that we enjoy in America should never be taken for granted. And those who hold that responsibility should never place the pursuit of truth secondary to their pimping for politicians.

9. The November Elections

While working for his father’s campaign in 1992, President George W. Bush learned that political capital cannot be saved; it can only be invested. Therefore, he placed his popularity and reputation on the line to elect politicians who would quit stalling his policies and judicial appointments. The results were unprecedented and historic. Not only did the GOP gain seats in the House; they also became the majority party in the Senate.

10. The Death of Sen. Paul Wellstone

After this misguided senator, albeit good and humble man died in a tragic plane crash, Democrats profaned his memorial service. It is quite likely that the fallout from their crass, political behavior doomed the Democrats’ chances of retaining their slim majority in the Senate. ***

Photo of Robert Yoho courtesy of staff files