2012: The Year in Review

2012 was to be the year that Obamacare was defeated, Republicans re-took control of the White House and the Senate and the year the world ended, at least according to the Mayans. That’s not quite how things turned out. You can read the Bearing Drift 2012 predictions here.

In January…

Bearing Drift’s own Shaun Kenney is elected as chair of the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors.

Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman drops out of the Presidential primary and throws his support behind Mitt Romney. Meanwhile, it turns out that Rick Santorum, not Mitt Romney wins the Iowa caucuses.

In his State of the Union address, President Obama reveals that his economic policy, and his campaign theme will be, “I got bin Laden.”

Matt Geary, the former Commonwealth’s Attorney candidate for Henrico County who lost his bid in a three-way race dies from a self-inflicted gun-shot wound. As Shaun said at the time, “Folks, I don’t care how bad it is: svkenney over at Gmail and IM me, track me down, twitter, Facebook, call the house… we’ll grab a beer and talk it out.”

That didn’t stop the children of Virginia’s left-o-sphere from a typical despicable response. We’d ask them if they have no shame, but we already know they don’t. Bearing drift responds here.

In the General Assembly, Democrats obsess with body parts, whether it’s the excessive use of the term “transvaginal” or Senator Janet Howell’s assertion (so to speak) that every male wishing a prescription for Viagra should be required to have a prostate exam. In the grand scheme of things men of the Viagra-needing age should be having prostate exams, not because Janet Howell wants retribution, but because it’s a responsible healthcare decision. The funny or not so funny thing, about the ultrasound bill is that the Democrats kept saying it was being pushed by old, white men. But the version that came to term (so to speak) was sponsored by Senator Jill Vogel who was pregnant during the General Assembly Session. Ultimately, Senator Vogel withdraws the bill.

HB1, or the Personhood Bill, was defeated because of the actions of six GOP State Senators. The pro-life movement will be remembering these six in 2015: Walter Stosch, Tommy Norment, John Watkins, Harry Blevins, Frank Wagner, and Frank Ruff. Conservatives have not felt this betrayed by the Senate since the 2004 Chichester tax increase.

In other General Assembly news the Democrats stall action on the State Budget by supporting more funding for school children by acting like school children and the Voter I.D. is watered down.

In Pennsylvania Joe Paterno, whose legendary football coaching career was marred by scandal, passes away at the age of 85.

In February…

Grammy winning artist Whitney Houston is found dead in her bathtub in a suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

In Super Bowl XLVI, the New York Giants prevail over the New England Patriots, 21-17. This is not the last time in 2012 that patriots would lose.

Former Congressman Virgil Goode files the paperwork to run for President on the Constitution ticket. He wins the nomination in April.

Former five-term congressman Bob Daniel passes away at the age of 75.

In March…

Professional abortion-rights proponent, Sandra Fluke, gets called a “slut” by Rush Limbaugh. Liberals are outraged that conservatives don’t want to pay for this woman to have lots and lots of sex.

Meanwhile, the Capitol Police arrest 30 people in an abortion protest at the State Capitol. Democrats are outraged that the Capitol Police actually do their job.

Republican Super Tuesday makes it clear that Mitt Romney will be the GOP nominee for the White House. At the time, we think it’s a good thing.

Setting off another round of media embarrassments and distortions, in Florida Trayvon Martin is shot by George Zimmerman. President Obama declares that if he had a son, he would look like Trayvon, to which Michelle replies, “what the *$%& to you mean if you had a son?”

In April…

Accompanying the President to Columbia, U.S. Secret Service agents are discovered to be participating in extracurricular activities. The agents say in a statement that “At no time was the President in danger, not even when our pants were around our ankles.”

Facebook acquires Instagram and 18 bazillion Facebook users post a picture with the caption “Oh $#!%.”

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum suspends his Presidential campaign. Mitt Romney secures the nomination.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney successfully receives a heart transplant. Democrats across the Internet wish him well. Who are we kidding? They show their true nature again.

George Allen, Jamie Radtke, Bob Marshall and E.W. Jackson successfully file to run for the U.S. Senate nomination. David McCormick misses the mark. Allen later wins the primary in a landslide.

Proving that he didn’t read the Bearing Drift predictions, Prince William County board chairman Corey Stewart announces his intention to run for Lt. Governor. The floodgates are officially opened.

American Bandstand host and the perennial star of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve passes away at the age of 82. For the remainder of the year we are subjected to Dick Clark/Mayan jokes on Facebook.

Richmonder and former Atlanta Falcon Ray Easterling dies of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 62. Watergate figure turned prison evangelist Charles “Chuck” Colson passes away at the age of 80.

In May…

The Obama campaign introduces “The Life of Julia” which tells the story of how women can be independent and free as long as they’re totally dependent upon the government.

News of Super Tuesday finally reaches Newt Gingrich and he suspends his campaign for the White House.

President Obama announces that he has “always” supported same-sex marriage, except when he hasn’t for political reasons.

Meanwhile, in an early morning vote, the House of Delegates rejects the judicial nomination of openly gay Richmond Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Tracy Thorne-Begland to serve as a judge on the General District Court in the 13th judicial district in Richmond. In June, the Richmond Circuit Court appointed Thorne-Begland to fill the vacant general district court post.

In an effort to fight obesity, New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg issues a ban on super-sized sodas. He follows that up less than 24 hours later with a celebration of National Donut Day. We are not making this up.

In a foreshadowing of things to come, the Republican Party of Virginia elects some new leadership.

Former “Fightin’ Ninth” Congressman William C. Wampler, Sr. passes away at the age of 86.

In June…

Chief Justice John Roberts sides with the liberals in voting not to overturn Obamacare. Sadly, unlike Obama’s first oath of office, Roberts does not ask for a “do over.”

University of Virginia President announces she is stepping down but will not be running for Lt. Governor. Sullivan cites “philosophical differences” with the Board of Visitors. She is reinstated in July.

Also in July…

Queen Elizabeth marks the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne by parachuting into the Olympic Stadium.

Twelve Virginians compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Five of them medal. Virginia Beach native Gabby Douglas brings home gold in individual and team gymnastics. Matt McLean of Sterling wins gold in men’s team swimming. Francena McCorory of Hampton earns a Bronze in the women’s 4×400 meter relay team. Kellie Wells of Richmond earns a Bronze in the 100 meter hurdles. And Terrence Jennings of Alexandria receives a Bronze in Men’s Taekwondo.

A gunman opens fire on a crowded movie theater at the premier of The Dark Knight Rises killing 12 people and injuring 58 others. The gunman is apprehended behind the theater.

Senator Yvonne B. Miller, the first African-American female legislator in Virginia, dies of stomach cancer at the age of 77.

America’s Sheriff Andy Griffith leaves us at the age of 86. We also lose Ernest Borgnine who dies of renal failure at the age of 95. And Sherman Hemsley goes to that deluxe apartment in the sky at the age of 74.

In August…

Thousands stand in line for a Chick-fil-A sandwich.  The fast food chain is targeted for protest after President and CEO Dan Cathy states his support for traditional marriage. Conservatives rally for tasty, tasty chicken. Cows rejoice.

Mitt Romney energizes the GOP with the selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate.

Hurricane Isaac causes the delay of the opening of the Republican National Convention. When the Hurricane doesn’t land a direct strike and kill hundreds of Republicans liberals go into mourning on Twitter and Facebook. We are not making this up.

Neil Armstrong takes the ultimate final leap for mankind.

In September…

The Democrats gather for their convention in Charlotte because of their love of NASCAR and all things southern.  In their platform deliberations, they deny God…three times.

On 9/11 the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya is attacked. The Ambassador and three others were killed. The Obama Administration issues a smorgasbord of different explanations and reminds us “We got bin Laden.”

Chicago teachers go on strike “for the children.”

In October…

Republicans across the Commonwealth mourn as longtime 5th District GOP activist Tucker Watkins passes away at the age of 66.

Superstorm Sandy strikes the Northeast with a vengeance. During a live telethon, rapper Kanye West says “Barack Obama doesn’t like Broadway people.” Meanwhile in New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie praises Obama for the response to the storm. And the snacks.

Red Bull sponsors Felix Baumgartner who jumps from a helium balloon 24 miles in the sky. Baumgartner lands in a remote area of New Mexico. Queen Elizabeth tweets “amateur.”

The Walt Disney Company purchase Lucasfilm Ltd. which includes the rights to the Star Wars Franchise. Disney promises to produce Episode VII. Star Wars geeks around the world respond with “I have a very bad feeling about this.”

In November…

On November 6, the American people prove that they believe it is better to give away your money so that they can receive government benefits. The worst President in modern history is easily re-elected. We won’t re-hash that here. In Virginia, the worst Governor in modern history is elected to the United States Senate, while one of the best Governor’s in Virginia’s history announces that he will not again seek elective office. That’s the Commonwealth’s loss, and a damn shame. But in a victory for property rights Amendment 1 passes with nearly 75% of the vote.

By Election Evening, the entire cast of Glee announces they are filing to run for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

Billy O’Brien, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1974-1992 passes away at the age of 83.

Larry Hagman makes his last oil deal at the age of 81 and motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar finds out what it’s really like at the top.

Bill Bolling wins the Bearing Drift poll and promptly announces he’s dropping his campaign for Governor…wait…what?

Seriously, Bolling drops out, leaving Ken Cuccinelli an open path to the GOP nomination for Governor in 2013. Bolling initially fuels speculation that he might attempt an independent run. Mass blogging hysteria ensues.

In December…

As America approached the fiscal cliff (and as of this writing, no deal has been made) the world didn’t end, but came pretty close with Saruman (a.k.a. Christopher Lee) releasing a heavy metal album.

A gunman breaks into a school in Newtown, Connecticut and fatally shoots twenty children and six adults before shooting himself. This understandably shocks the nation and reignites calls for more gun control. Meanwhile, “gun free” Chicago reaches the unenviable milestone of 500 homicides in 2012.

President Obama nominates Senator John Kerry to replace Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. It’s Christmas in Cambodia again.

Long awaited movies The Hobbit and Les Miserables fill theaters.

Judge Robert Bork passes away at the age of 85. Bork was instrumental in the “Saturday Night Massacre” during the Nixon Watergate years and was later nominated to the Supreme Court by Ronald Reagan. The Senate rejected Bork’s nomination with six Republicans, including Virginian John Warner, voting against him.

General Stormin’ Norman Schwarzkopf passes away at the age of 78 from complications from pneumonia.

Actors Jack Klugman and Charles Durning pass away. Klugman was 90. Durning, 89.

At this writing, Hillary Clinton has been hospitalized for treatment of a blood clot stemming from the concussion she suffered earlier in the month.

The Washington Redskins defeat the Dallas Cowboys 28-18, taking the Redskins to their first post season appearance since 2007. Tony Romo is awarded MVP…by the Redskins.

For political geeks like the Bearing Drift crew, 2012 wasn’t a year full of electoral success. But not to worry, in Virginia every year is an election year.

Here’s to 2013! Bring it.

@mrfletcher | facebook.com/mrfletcher58 | Michael’s posts

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