| 2002: 'The' Story? | |
While Saddam Hussein swore he was not hiding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Arthur Anderson admitted it was hiding massive accounting violations in Enron.
Two snipers in the American East and dozens of suicidal bombers in the Middle East showed us the many faces of terrorism, while moments of silent resolve passed on the first anniversary of the 9-11 terror attacks.
The opera we call American Politics played a hearty libretto, with death, scandal, and shifts of power marking the 2002 mid-term elections.
What was the most important news story of 2002? The candidates, in no particular order are:
- Iraq Situation
- D.C. Area Sniper
- Corporate Accounting Scandals
- One-year Anniversary of 9-11
- GOP Wins Congress in Election
- Middle East Violence
Respond to our poll
- Iraq: To Attack or Not?
Based on intelligence gathered since the 1991 Gulf War, the Bush administration contended that Iraq was actively developing and storing weapons of mass destruction. Moving Iraq to the top of his list of Axis of Evil nations in the war on terror, President Bush took his case in favor of a preemptive strike against Iraq to the American people, the U.S. Congress and the United Nations.
Bush Takes Iraq Case to American People
As the U.S. Congress debates a resolution authorizing him to use military force against Iraq, President Bush attempted to explain to the American people why Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein must be removed from power... and soon.
Congress Authorizes Bush to Use Military Force in Iraq
Congress passes a resolution authorizing President Bush to use U.S. Armed Forces "as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq."
Bush Presents Case Against Iraq to UN
President Bush gave the United Nations a clear choice -- either they help force Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to disarm his nation and grant his people human rights -- or the United States Military would do it alone.
UN Resolution Against Iraq: Timeline to War
Established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441, are four key deadline dates for actions the Iraqi government, under its leader Saddam Hussein, must take in order to comply with U.N. demands and avoid military attack by the Unites States.
- The D.C. Area Sniper
For most of October, accused snipers John Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo, held the states of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia hostages of domestic terrorism. Firing from the specially modified trunk of their car, Muhammad and Malvo allegedly killed 10 people and critically wounded another three between Oct. 2 and Oct. 22.
D.C. Sniper Suspects Arrested
State prosecutors in Montgomery County, Maryland, stated they would charge sniper suspects John Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo with six counts of first-degree murder.
D.C. Sniper Suspect's Military Background
U.S. Department of Defense officials have released details of the past military service of John Allen Muhammad, aka John Allen Williams, one of the two men arrested Oct. 24 in connection with the D.C.-area sniper case.
- Corporate Accounting Scandals
The revelation in January that the recently bankrupt Enron Corporation had been assisted in conducting and covering up years of illegal accounting practices by its own auditors, Arthur Anderson, Inc., proved just the tip of the corporate scandal iceberg. Similar truths and accusations soon touched other major companies including WorldCom and Global Crossing. In reaction, President Bush, himself once a big business player, demanded harsh punishment for the guilty and strong new laws to prevent future accounting scandals.
Enron: Crouching Profits, Hidden Debt
What did Enron make? How did the seventh largest company in America go broke so fast? What role does the federal government play in the Enron scandal?
Bush Demands Corporate Responsibility
President Bush calls for criminal penalties, including jail terms, for business executives found responsible for corporate scandals like those at Enron and telecommunications giant WorldCom.
Bush: Crackdown on Corporate CEOs After Enron
Hoping to fend of future corporate debacles like the collapse of Enron, President Bush proposes new regulations to improve corporate responsibility.
- One-year Anniversary of 9-11 Attacks
A still-shaken America paused to remember the tragic attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 that launched the war on terrorism.
National Terrorist Attack Threat Level Raised
On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, the National Threat Level of terrorist attack was raised to Condition Orange, indicating a "high" risk of attack.
Creating Living Memorials to 9-11
Invoking the "the resonating power of trees," the US Forest Service created the Living Memorials Project to help America remember and recover from 9-11. Learn how you can take part.
- Republicans Take Control of Congress in Elections
In what turned out to be one of the closest mid-term elections in years, Republicans, with plenty of late campaign help from President Bush, managed to take narrow control of both the House and Senate. The elections also suffered tragedy and controversy, as Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota died in a plane crash, and Sen. Robert Torricelli of New Jersey withdrew in turmoil shortly before the election. Both were incumbents, both were Democrats.
Election 2002 for Control of the U.S. Congress
Even while their Labor Day hotdogs and burgers were being digested, voters were being fed a helping of hi-frequency campaigning for the Nov. 5, 2002 mid-term election and its grand prize -- control of the United States Congress.
Election 2002 Could be Replay of 2000
Much like Election 2000, Election 2002 on Nov. 5 may come and go leaving Americans wondering, "So, who won?"
Torricelli Withdraws from 2002 Election
The withdrawal of incumbent New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Torricelli from the Nov. 5 mid-term election turns the Democratic Party's task of maintaining control or the U.S. Senate from a hill into a mountain.
Senator Wellstone Killed in Plane Crash
United States Senator Paul Wellstone (D - Minnesota) died today in the crash of a small plane near the town of Eveleth in northern Minnesota.
Election 2002 Results: US Congress
Who won?
- Violence in the Middle East Escalates
A deadly series of suicide bombings by Palestinians against Israeli citizens brought ever-stronger retaliation from Israel's military. As Israeli tanks held Yasser Arafat prisoner in his own palace, President Bush accused the Palestinian leader of "encouraging, not opposing, terrorism," and demanded his ouster.
Bush Calls for Ouster of Arafat
"When the Palestinian people have new leaders, new institutions, and new security arrangements with their neighbors, the United States of America will support the creation of a Palestinian state," said Bush.
The Prisoner's Dilemma in the Middle East (From About US Politics)
The Israelis and the Palestinians are caught in an infinite loop of violence, each goading the other. From US Politics Guide John Aravosis.
Anti-Semitic Attacks in the Wake of the Middle East Crisis (From About Judaism)
In the wake of the crisis in the Middle East, Jews and Jewish property worldwide have come under attack. From About Judaism Guide Lisa Katz.
Not
One of Those?
If you think another story was more important than any of the above, share your
opinion on our Forum. Click
here to enter the Forum.
