Sadly, it was an ugly year.

Nature showed her worst side with an earthquake followed by a tsunami in Japan.  Meanwhile there were an extraordinary number tornadoes and earthquakes that occurred in the eastern United  States.

Dictators fell thanks to the Arab Spring but lives were lost and the Middle East is still in turmoil.  The dictator (president) of Syria is still killing his people.

America has left Iraq but the outcome of the effort is still in doubt.  Bombings and turbulence are rocking that country.

Iran and North Korea are on the same paths that strike fear into their neighbors.

The United States government has declared the recession is over but those that lost their jobs and significant home value have not recovered.

A debt crisis is impacting both Europe and the United States.  The U.S.had its own debt struggles. In August, Standard & Poor’s lowered the country’s long-term sovereign debt rating to AA+ from AAA. These are situations brought on by incompetent politicians.

America’s political system is deadlocked.

So what was the good news?

The one wonderful event was the marriage of Kate Middleton to Prince William.

Unemployment is down and American car sales are up.

The movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life” is a message of hope.