- Sago mine disaster: This is certainly a disaster and a horrible situation to endure for those involved, but just because a story is covered nationally doesn't make it a national story, especially if nothing comes from it (for example, legislation to help coal miners) and you can't remember much about it a week later. Since this disaster did not impact anyone outside of those directly involved, it can't be considered a big story for the US in 2006, and shouldn't be on the list.
- Darfur crisis in Sudan: While intellectually and emotionally I know why it is on the list (it was #10 on the AP's list as well), I don't think it should be, because most Americans don't know what Darfur is nor where the Sudan is on a map, let alone the crisis or its impact on them, and I am not sure one exists. The conflict has, unfortunately, been going on for several years. Why is it on the list in 2006, as opposed to 2003? Because it finally got some notice in the mainstream US media and by some famous celebreties. While I agree that is cynical viewpoint on my part, I am not sure what the story is here. The UN passed a resolution, which was rejected by the Sudan government anyway, so if the result is status quo, what is the big story? If the fighting ever stopped, then that would be a huge story.
- Democratic takeover of Congress: The first valid entry. Of course, it really is an overrated story, as nothing of significance will change as the result of this (I hate to break it to you, but both lobbyists control both parties, and the War will still exist in Iraq until Bush leaves office), but it is still a good story and theoretically impacts everyone in the U.S.
- Israeli-Hezbollah fighting in Lebanon: This is an interesting entry on the list, because its impact on the US is questionable, nothing was resolved in the sense that the "treaty" maintained status quo, and the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel is not limited to 2006 (Israel also invaded Lebanon in 1978), but you could argue an impact to the US via continue instability int he Middle East and the domino affect that has on other areas that do impact the US directly.
- Iraq war: Donald RumsfeldÂ’s resignation: This one is certainly a valid choice. The War in Iraq alone could be the biggest story of 2006 in the US, so any significant change in policy for that war would be a big story, and the resignation of its architect fits that description.
- Immigration debate: It is interesting that CNN added the word "debate" to the end of this, as if Immigration isn't capable of standing alone as a topic. I am not sure what "debate" actually took place of any substance or intelligence, but I agree that Immigration was a big story in the US, until it got too cold to parade outside and people got bored with it, and now it is December 2006 and still nothing has changed. But I guess that doesn't mean it can't be on the list,becausee if we only included topics that our government leaders actually solved, there would be no list.
- Nuclear concerns over Iran: By itself, I don't think it is huge story. I don't think too many Americans are too concerned about this. I am not saying they should or should not be concerned, but I think it is pretty clear few care about this... not with the NFL playoffs coming up or New Year's Eve parties to plan.
- John Mark Karr's false confession: At first glance, I thought this was the guy who confessed to killing JonBenet Ramsey, but I had to look it up to validate. I was right. The fact I couldn't remember his name, and the fact he confessed to something he didn't do anyway, must make this entry on the list easily the weakest. Who cares?
- Warren Jeffs' capture: Geez.. you'd think this was Osama Bin Laden or Saddam Hussein. I think he was on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted, but how does this impact my life? I guess you can argue that his capture may save the lives of innocent children who are drawn into a life of manipulation, but this is a weak entry. I am beginning to think nothing happened in 2006.
- Scandals: Congress, the Rev. Ted Haggard: These are news stories only because they are covered by the media, but they aren't new, they aren't surprising, and they obviously have no impact because the scandals of 2006 will quickly be forgotten when replaced by the scandals of 2007 where idiots we elect do the same thing. Good fodder for a future episode of Jeopardy, but shouldn't be on this list.
- North Korea nuclear scare: What was the scare? If you have to ask, then it shouldn't be on the list. The blast was less than one kiloton, smaller than expected, and U.S. officials suggested that it may have been an unsuccessful test. There is also doubt North Korea has the ability to deliver a warhead by any successful means. However, we all know that Clinton and Bush have dropped the ball in the handling of North Korea, which would have been the story I would have put on the list: "US Diplomacy Policy with North Korea is a Joke".
- James Frey's fictional nonfiction: Like the Karr entry, the name didn't ring a bell by itself, but along with the description, I assumed he was the Oprah guy who wrote a fictional book and passed it off as real. I looked it up, and I was right, but this is yet another poor entry. Again, who cares?
- Celebs' bad behavior: I am not even going to talk about this. Pathetic, CNN. Really. And shame on anyone out there who picked this as the top story of 2006.
The real US top stories of 2006, were, in my opinion:
1. War in Iraq
2. Transfer of political power from Republicans to Democrats in House and Senate
3. Bush declining in Popularity
4. Illegal Immigration
5. Axis of Evil (Iran and North Korea) Moving Ahead with Nuclear Weapons Development
