Digital Journal — This year, many stories passed by our eyes and ears but what stood out? DigitalJournal.com presents the major stories in 2007 that caught our attention, reeled in our curiosity, kept us captivated and still have the world talking.
Main Reason Why You Think Your Cellphone Sucks:
Because it’s not Apple’s iPhone. The touch-screen music-friendly phone was on the minds of every gadgeteer on the hunt for the latest and greatest. It might cost $400, but Apple lured early adopters with key partnerships (Starbucks) and breathless reports of iPhones flying off shelves. While the iPhone sold extremely well in the U.S., Germany, England and France, many others have been shut out from enjoying the prized possession, including America’s neighbour to the north.
Changing of the White House Guard?
An African-American president? A female president? Those scenarios are all possibilities in the New Politics of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidates who are giving their respective demographics hope for wholesale changes in the whitest of White Houses. Oprah famously backed Obama and Hillary says she wants to make the government more cost effective and transparent. The two candidates want to shake up the U.S., and they also inadvertently want to change how politicians get noticed by the public. The Republicans have had a wild ride in the media in 2007 (especially with Internet darling Ron Paul and the war in Iraq) but the Democrats bring potential new blood to the presidency, making them one of the most written-about entities in the media and blogosphere.
The Only Time You’ll See Monks at a Protest:
The protests in Burma brought shaved-headed red-clad monks on to the streets to rail against the government’s decision to raise the price of fuel. But it was the confrontation between baton-wielding police and monks that turned the world’s attention to the tiny country, giving newscasts visually-arrested fodder. Close to 15 people died in the violence and more than 3,000 were jailed. Sadly, the arrests haven’t ended, but the media have already turned their cameras on to more important topics (like jailbirds and neglected children).
Why Many Newspapers Included “Shocking” in their Pun-Heavy Headlines:
It started with “Don’t Tase me, bro” and ended with two unfortunate deaths as a result of Taser attacks. Whether it was a University of Florida student or a Polish immigrant at Vancouver International Airport, the news sparking the Taser controversy was in the crosshairs this year. The deaths resulting from Tasers sparked civil rights movements, demands for their moratorium and new fears that those that serve and protect are doing the complete opposite.
The Best Inspiration for Crude Comedians:
Thank you, Senator Larry Craig. You gave comedians and Saturday Night Live enough inspiration to last them a decade. On June 11, 2007, the senior Senator from Idaho was arrested for “lewd conduct.” Translation? Soliciting sex in a men’s restroom. He tapped his foot next to an undercover officer’s foot in a bathroom stall, which is the universal sign for “Let’s get it on!” Right? Craig maintained his innocence, and offered the world a quote that will go down in history: “I have a wide stance when going to the bathroom.”
Why You Won’t See Grown Men Reading Children’s Books Anymore:
Harry Potter waved his wand goodbye with the July 21 release of the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was smart marketing — the book sold a record 8.3 million copies within 24 hours. J.K. Rowling wasn’t done with making 2007 the year o’ the kid magician: months later, she revealed that the wizard Dumbledore is gay. Not sure if Rowling is crying out for attention or whether she’s just bored now.
A Good Time to Steer Clear of Television:
When the Writers Guild of America went on strike in November, couch potatoes knew their prime-time buffet was soon going to run out of entrees. Episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, House, The Office, Family Guy and other fan faves were shelved in favour of reruns or painfully lame reality shows. The WGA and Hollywood big-wigs are still trying to hammer out a deal, and it looks like the TV blackout could extend well into 2008. Time to flick off the tube and head to the Web, where rulers of the roost like Joost are trying to attract a new audience.
Top Story for Parents Who Need an Excuse to Not Buy Their Kid That New Toy:
“Sorry honey, but I can’t buy you that Barbie or Elmo or Easy Bake Oven. They’re all made with toxic lead from China“. OK, maybe those aren’t the exact words you would use with your kid, but you get the point. This year will likely go down as the Year of Recalls and the blame is squarely on corporations and Chinese manufacturers who allowed 20 million dangerous toys to enter the U.S. market. Moms and Dads everywhere were for forced to steal toys back from their kids: “There are plenty of these made-in-China recalls,” says Dad. “What’s a recall?” asks little Katie. “Well, it’s what happens when loose regulations allow manufacturers to bring defective products to market, with the hope of increasing the bottom line of a major U.S. business while shirking their corporate responsibilities,” says Dad.
Best Story for Warmongering Invade-niks Bored of Iraq:
In 2007, the Bush administration continually accused of Iran of harbouring weapons of somewhat massive destruction. But a report from the National Intelligence Estimate said Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003. Then another report said it was started back up in 2004. Meanwhile, an Iranian MP said the country never had a nuclear program. Confused yet? Wait, it’s not over: Iran recently received nuclear fuel from Russia solely for its Bushehr power plant. No matter what Iran does to prove its innocence, many people believe the country is hiding something, while others say the U.S. is still hunting for a new enemy in 2008, and Iran could be the next focal point for the Department of Defense. That is, unless a peacenik diplomatic President takes control of the White House. Is that editorializing?
Clearest Sign Canada Isn’t Much Different Than the U.S.:
When the Canadian loonie reached parity with the U.S. dollar, frothy-mouthed Canucks border-shopped until their jaws dropped. It was big news not just for Canada and the economics of selling U.S. goods up north, but also for the U.S. dollar. Some people warn the weak dollar is a sign that a major recession is near, but until those dire predictions come true, Canadian consumers will continue to grin widely and no longer endure scathing criticism about its currency being worth as much as Monopoly money.
What do you think are the top stories of 2007? Give us your picks below.
