Given that the Chinese Year of the Ox starts soon, bovine bloggers everywhere worry that we might be held accountable for this year. Perhaps we should post over our real name rather than the heifer-ificly accurate nom de blog, "Ollie Ox."
The Mankato Free Press editorial board states what it wants to see in 2009: more jobs, a plan for energy independence and fewer tornadoes and an end to bin Laden's luck. Go read all the points; it's hard to disagree with most of it.
Janus, for whom this monthis named, was a Roman god who looked both forward and back. The Rochester Post Bulletin looks at the Year in Review: Local voters made their voices heard, noting:
Along with higher turnout, 2008 marked a resurgence in American's political involvement. Local leaders with the DFL and Republican parties say they had more people wanting to get involved then in years past. That included people manning phone banks, knocking on doors and putting out lawn signs.
"The most beautiful part of this past year is we ignited a new generation of voters," said Olmsted County DFL Chairwoman Lynn Wilson.
That surge in political interest mainly benefited Democrats. U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, DFL-Mankato, easily defended his seat against Rochester Republican Brian Davis. Rochester's DFL state representatives Tina Liebling, Andy Welti and Kim Norton all won re-election.
The reporter then feigns surprise at the election of Republicans Greg Davids and Steve Tim* Kelly over one-term Dems in traditionally Republican seats, but Ms. Carlson simply can't bring herself to mention Kory Kath's surprise victory in Steele and Waseca Counties, which as we know are very, very far away from Rochester.
The Pipestone Star looks back at a year of "dramatic change," noting:
Perhaps Davis's many visits to Pipestone helped persuade a majority of voters in the Republican-leaning county to cast ballots for Walz, who didn't carry it in 2006. Certainly, Davis's Rochester residence did little to help him in Olmsted County.
In unrelated news, a dog is rescued from a dumpster in Waseca, according to the local paper. Come on, people: there no excuse for cruelty to animals. That's just wrong.
* The original article we cited contained the mistake about Representative Kelly's first name; we're sorry we didn't think to fact check every detail in the Post Bulletin article.
An early Happy Year of the Ox to you as the new Chinese year will officially begin on January 26, 2009, and will end on February 13, 2010. BTW, the Post Office will be issuing stamps to commemorate this event.
The forecast offered by astrology practitioners is for a challenging year, but one that can be successful. Some comments include :
As can be understood, the year of the Ox 2009 entails numerous difficulties but also offers immense potentialities. Consequently, for our happiness, we will have to enter the year with enough confidence and optimism and, through all its months, make methodical and sustained efforts. In other words, the stars will support us with all their might in the achievement of our various projects if we work relentlessly and above all with infinite patience. 2009 is the year where will be exalted the traditional virtues - love for one's country and family, sense of honor and discipline, sense of duty and dedication, taste for work and effort -, the stars, it seems, want that the solution of our problems be achieved with those virtues.
2009 is the year where will be exalted the traditional virtues - love for one's country and family, sense of honor and discipline, sense of duty and dedication, taste for work and effort -, the stars, it seems, want that the solution of our problems be achieved with those virtues.
Agriculture is forecasted to have a good year. The protection of environment and the management of our planet's resources will also constitute extremely well favored professional paths: you could make a fortune here all the while having the satisfaction of playing a role very useful to mankind.
Enjoy the year.
Posted by: MinnesotaCentral | January 02, 2009 at 06:35 PM