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So, here we are, another year over, and 2005 stretches out ahead.
As important as it is it to look forward positively, it’s equally important to take a moment to reflect over the events of the last week, and the immense sadness after the disaster in South East Asia. I can’t add many more words to those that have already been said. I can only appeal to those who have not yet pledged help, to do so, no matter how small. The areas devastated will struggle for many years, and over the coming months, the already dizzying total of 150,000 people dead can only spiral upward, due to disease, and the lack of basic human requirements.

More positively I can see two bright points of light coming from this disaster. Firstly, the tremendous response for donations the world has already seen, especially from people in the UK.
The second point, which some may not agree with, and may be of little comfort to those affected, but I can't help comparing this New Year with that of 2001. In the wake of 9/11 I looked forward to the New Year with trepidation. This latest ‘disaster’ was natural, and shows the power of Nature and the fragility of the world we live on. It’s times like this that make us realise this, and maybe it will crystallise peoples attitudes to help to strive to make the world a better place, and our brief time upon it a better one.

The US has pledged some $300m dollars for disaster relief, noble as it is I think I read that’s about a third of the money spent each an every day in Iraq. This is not meant as a swipe at the US, but illustrates the huge discrepency between the spending on bombs and bread. This year has been earmarked as a year that we must tackle global poverty. Lets all make an effort to help it succeed. To concentrate our efforts on the important issues facing our world, not the trivial. We can’t prevent these natural disasters, but we can help lessen their impact.

Moving back to things closer to home, I’d just like to take this opportunity to wish everyone, everywhere all the best for the New Year, with particular thanks to all those who have contributed articles in 2004.

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