Volume 26/Number 16; Dec. 17/24, 2012
I’m glad 2012 will soon be in my rearview mirror. When all is said and done, I’m going to classify the year as one to forget. Don’t get me wrong—2012 was a good year for Floor Covering News, and I believe it was good for the industry in general. Business came back for many, and we started seeing the long-anticipated rebound in the builder market.
So what left such a bad taste in my mouth? Well, just look back on the headlines that will define 2012. In no particular order, here were the biggest stories of the year.
1. The death of Whitney Houston. Add the pop icon, arguably the greatest voice of our time, to the list of musical artists that succumbed to their addictions. Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse, Jim Morrison, Keith Moon. Houston’s hardcore fans cry over the loss of an idol, but most of us simply shake our heads and wonder how someone who seemingly has it all—fame, fortune, talent, looks—will throw it all away. We don’t know what drove her to be an addict and why she gave her life over to drugs. It’s a sad waste.
2. The Presidential election. No matter which side of the aisle you were on, the entire campaign proved to be disappointing. It just seems to get uglier and uglier every four years. The negativity, the lies, the attacks, the divisiveness. Both sides were guilty. In the end, the American people take the brunt.
3. Hurricane Sandy. We here in the New York/New Jersey area watched in horror at the destruction wreaked by Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Irene, tornados, typhoons, earthquakes and the like. This time it hit home. Literally. Many saw their homes severely damaged or destroyed. Possessions and keepsakes—gone. Towns ravaged. The beaches on which so many of us tanned and burned washed away. The billions of dollars in damage is astonishing. It will be years before some people fully recover.
4. The Penn State scandal. While the molestations of 10 teenage boys occurred over a 15-year period, they were only brought to light in 2011, and Jerry Sandusky was found guilty on 45 of 48 charges in June 2012. As the father of a 14-year-old boy, this one really affected me. The heinous acts committed by a once-renowned assistant football coach also took down what until this year was considered a legendary football icon in Joe Paterno, who allegedly chose to bury his head in the sand rather than do something about it. Now it is reported Sandusky is seeking a less restrictive prison. I think we should allow the victims to decide that one.
5. The Connecticut tragedy. Friday, Dec. 14, goes down as one of the darkest days in this country’s existence. Discussing the details would only serve as redundant. Our hearts grieve for the innocent victims and their families. In the months ahead, this horrific event will feed the debate on gun control, as well it should. It should also stir discussion on identifying those who roam free in society whose mental states deem them threats to others. I don’t have any answers; I’m just saying this country can not and should not have to endure any more events like those in Newtown, Oklahoma City, Columbine, etc.
6. Honey Boo Boo. Really? I truly thought we as a society hit rock bottom by virtue of our fascination with three sisters whose only talent is their ability to reap the rewards of their “star” sister and their brilliant pimp, who also doubles as their mother. Now you tell me Elmer, Willie and Jiggs have been supplanted in popularity by the epitome of white trash? You call a family full of flatulence, fat and speech impediments entertaining? It really is terrifying to watch, which is why America can’t take their eyes off of it. Sort of like a car wreck with every imaginable organ splattered all over the street. This epitomizes what was wrong with this country in 2012.
Happy holidays from our family here at FCNews to yours.
Steve Feldman