As 2014 draws to a close, we should take time to remember the important events that shook us, scared us and filled us with wonder.
ISIS
In 2014 ISIS beheaded five western aid workers, made sweeping territorial land grabs and had a force the CIA estimates at around 31,000. Since August, the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition has stepped up airstrikes with ever-increasing ferocity. All the while, President Obama reiterated time and time again there would be no boots on the ground. In June, there were 275 troops reported to be in Iraq, that number is now up to 3,100. While these troops are technically considered “advisers” to the Iraqi fighters and have no combat roles, you can’t help but wonder what comes next. In the span of five months, the president increased troop levels over ten times. Pair that with President Obama’s Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, stepping down and the level of uncertainty surrounding the president’s defense policy increasing about as quickly as U.S. troop involvement in Iraq.
Police and racial tensions
Following the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, the atmosphere around the nation was exceptionally charged. Sparking conversation and criticism regarding police abuses toward minorities, the situation was exacerbated when a grand jury chose not to indict Wilson and riots and protests then erupted around the country. Just over a week later, another police officer, this time in New York City, was not indicted over the killing of Eric Garner. The outrage over Eric Garner was even more pronounced because of a video which shows Garner, unarmed, with his hands in the air, being taken to the ground by an officer using a chokehold. Garner can be heard pleading with police crying “I can’t breath” 11 times, which has transformed into a rallying cry around the country to protest against police brutality. Garner’s case has left many Americans wondering what good police body cameras will do when you have a video from a third party yet still can’t get justice.
Election 2014
The midterm election of 2014 increased the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and gave the Republicans the majority in the Senate for the first time since 2006. The most troubling aspect of the 2014 election is the continuing trend of voter apathy. Sixty-five percent of eligible voters failed to even cast a ballot. As a result of the Republican control in both the House and the Senate, President Obama is the only man standing between the Republicans passing legislation. With a veto, the Senate needs 67 votes to override it and the House needs 290. While the Republicans don’t have the numbers necessary to override a veto on their own, there could be some incentive for bipartisanship if any congressional Democrats fear losing their seat in 2016.
NASA’s Orion spacecraft
NASA launched its newest spacecraft Dec. 6. Called the Orion, it travelled 3,600 miles above the earth moving at a speed of 20,000 mile an hour. For the first time in over 40 years NASA put a spacecraft capable of carrying astronauts beyond low Earth orbit. Lockheed Martin began assembly of the Orion in 2011. Less than three years later and it was launched into space. NASA has high hopes for the Orion spacecraft and has plans to use the craft to reach asteroids, Mars and beyond. According to NASA, more than 1,000 companies helped to assemble or manufacture Orion and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden called it “Day one of the Mars era.” While the mission did not carry any astronauts, this mission is the first step in advancing the space frontier. Fourty-five years after we first landed on the moon, it is time to extend beyond our own backyard. It’s time to go to Mars.
Cullen is a senior majoring in history and political science. What events do you think were important in 2014? We’d like to hear your view. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com
