It is here. The end of another year.

As 2006 comes to a close, we can look back and reflect on the nightmare it has been or we can look ahead to the awakening we can only hope 2007 will bring.

I must admit that I have no great parting words of wisdom for the year 2006. Although I have the honor of posting the final ‘Feature Post’ of the year, I have little new to offer in the way of progressive thought or political criticism today.

I suppose I could rehash recent news or search out some obscure or inane story or occurrence. But I have not. Instead I choose to leave 2006 behind me with a few simple words and a rather simple request.

First, the words:

“As long as people believe in absurdities, they will continue to commit atrocities.”
-Voltaire

Voltaire wasn’t far off the mark with that one. We see the validity of its meaning every day in the wars and violences men play upon each other. We see it in the unbridled hubris of political midgets who pretend to be leaders, and in the cult icons the masses pretend to admire. And to varying degrees, as fallable human beings, we each envelop absurdity or acquiesce to atrocity time and again by simply failing to stand up and proclaim them as such that they are. Or by rationalizing them away. Or by simply missing the events altogether.

Now, the request:

In this new year, and even in the ones beyond, seek peace, search for truth, reject the absurd, and be excellent to each other. It is within each of us to make the world a better place.

See you in 2007.