2009 : ONE REASON TO HOPE

Our final 2008 post yesterday was quite pessimistic...

Today, after seeing some beautiful images from New York, we have found at least one good reason to be more optimistic for 2009, which is starting right now.


Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife US Senator Hillary Clinton embrace at midnight in Times Square after pushing the button to lower the crystal ball during New Year festivities in New York January 1, 2009.REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES) 

Yes, here they are again...

And to see them together, so happy and still in love after all these years, is a cheering vision...

Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife US Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) embrace at midnight in Times Square after pushing the button to lower the crystal ball during New Year festivities in New York January 1, 2009.REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES)

 
About 1 million people braved the cold weather to usher in 2009 at the New York Times Square on New Year's Eve.

The temperature dropped to 18 degrees Fahrenheit (about minus eight degrees Centigrade) at the square as midnight approached.


Bill and Hillary joined New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in triggering the traditional ball drop, ushering in the new year with a new 12,000-pound (about 544 kilograms) Waterford Crystal ball that was several times larger and heavier than the ball used last year.

Former US President Bill Clinton (L) and his wife US Senator Hillary Clinton (R) push the button with Mayor Michael Bloomberg (2nd R) to lower the crystal ball at midnight in Times Square during New Year festivities in New York January 1, 2009.REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES) 



Crowds of people then poured into central Manhattan for the street party, despite this icy temperature and deepening economic woes across the United States.

Sen. Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton dance at the start of the new year in Times Square, New York, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig) 



This morning I would like to hope for better days...

Maybe Hillary will be able to carry out an impossible task : bring peace to this divided world, reconcile the Palestinians and the Israelis, put an end to those deadly wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, prevent a war between Pakistan and India, etc...

Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife US Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) celebrate at midnight in Times Square after pushing the button to lower the crystal ball during New Year festivities in New York January 1, 2009.REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES) 




Let's not forget that during the Clinton presidency, the USA was greatly respected throughout the world...

I am not expecting anything from Obama... 


But I want to believe...

To believe that Obama will be wise enough to let Hillary really lead the US foreign policy.



Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., greets someone in the crowd at Times Square before she help to start the New Year's ball drop in New York, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig) 




As he does not know anything about the world, he'd better stay on holiday and let others decide for him.

Yes, finally, we may have one good reason to hope this morning :

Bill and Hillary are back !



Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife US Senator Hillary Clinton dance at midnight in Times Square after pushing the button to lower the crystal ball during New Year festivities in New York January 1, 2009.REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES)