As we approach the end of 2022 and charge head-on into the next year, it’s time to reflect on what we have endured, accomplished, and overcome – or not – in the last 12 months. Join us on a visual tour of the events that shaped our world this year and a roundup of some of 2022’s big stories – not listed in any perceived order of importance.
Politics
The Jan. 6 Committee Fiasco
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Probably one of the biggest and most important stories of 2022 was the Jan. 6 Committee and its eventual decision to refer former President Donald Trump to the Justice Department for prosecution. Liberty Nation Chief Political Correspondent Graham J Noble extensively covered the hearings and wrapped it up quite neatly with: “The real indictment of the committee, however, is its decision to thrust the Department of Justice into what is an entirely political dispute, rather than leaving it to the will of the people.”
Roe v. Wade
(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
When the Supreme Court decided to hand the issue of abortion back down to the states, the progressive world went crazy. Instead of seeing it for what it was, everyone started shouting that the overturning of Roe v. Wade was, effectively, an abortion ban – rather than simply a restoration of states’ authority to decide the issue. Some states responded by severely or completely restricting abortion while others expanded funding for and access to it. Thus, the left’s narrative was undermined. Nevertheless, the Court’s decision likely played a part in dissipating the expected midterm red wave.
Illegal Immigration
(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
The number of illegal immigrants crossing into the US in 2022 reached the millions. The Democrats’ open-border-like policy has virtually invited migrants to come to America without fear of consequence and without having to do so through legal channels. Border states have been overrun and swamped with the sheer numbers of undocumented aliens, and despite many requests to President Joe Biden, no one has stepped up to help. This year, we saw southern border state politicians take matters into their own hands, busing the undocumented to sanctuary cities and even to Vice President Kamala Harris’ doorstep. Luckily, Title 42 survived being overturned – for now – giving immigration officials and border residents a little more breathing room while they continue to struggle against the flood of people swarming into their neighborhoods.
2022 Economy
Inflation/Recession
(Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Gas prices soared to more than $6 per gallon in some parts of the country and groceries cost sometimes triple what they did just a few months earlier. Inflation was real and looked like it was here to stay. Biden was quick to tell everyone that his Inflation Reduction Act would cure all the problems, but others say it’s only adding to the country’s financial woes. And then there was the big debate on whether we were in a recession. Despite the official definition of what constitutes a recession, people argued that those criteria no longer matter. Democrats had moved the goalposts to protect the White House.
Media
Elon Musk and Twitter Files
(Photo Illustration by Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
When Elon Musk decided to purchase Twitter, chaos ensued. The left freaked out because, for once, freedom of speech was going to be allowed on their most cherished platform. While claiming there had been no suppression of the conservative voice, these same people were closing their accounts as fast as possible. And then the Twitter Files broke, proving such censorship really did happen. Not only was it allowed and encouraged by the social media giant, but it also suggests that censoring some of the comments while promoting others might have had a hand in how the elections turned out.
CNN Exodus
(Photo by Ronen Tivony/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
CNN used to be a trusted name in the news business, but recent years have shown that the network is more interested in pushing progressive agendas than delivering just the news. It appears that the head honchos finally got a clue in 2022 and started cleaning house; getting rid of the more radical anchors and trying to climb back up from the hole in which they buried themselves. Don Lemon, for example, one of the network’s most liberal correspondents, lost his prime-time slot and moved to a morning airing. One can only hope CNN continues in this vein and other progressive outlets follow the same path.
Military
UFOs Are Real?
Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Scott Bray explains a video of unidentified aerial phenomena (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The government finally decided to release images of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), now known as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). Although exciting, for some people it provided more questions than answers. However, in November, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released an update to its report which showed that some of the UAP encounters were “Chinese surveillance operations using drones,” Liberty Nation National Security Correspondent Dave Patterson recently reported.
Missile Firings From North Korea
(Photo by Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
All eyes are on national security when it comes to North Korea and its dramatic increase in the number of long and medium-range missile firings. In 2022, the country has fired more than 90 missiles, both ballistic and cruise. In one instance, 23 missiles were fired in a single day. In comparison, eight missiles were shot off in 2021 and just four missile tests were conducted in 2020. “The big thing about 2022 is that the word ‘test’ is no longer appropriate to talk about most North Korean missile launches – they are hardly testing missiles these days,” said Ankit Panda, a nuclear policy expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “Everything we’ve seen this year suggests that Kim Jong Un is dead serious about using nuclear capabilities early in a conflict if necessary.” Countries are concerned and an arms race in Asia is threatening to escalate. The US has promised to defend Japan and South Korea with the “full range of capabilities, including nuclear.”
World
Russia Invades Ukraine
(Photo by Andre Luis Alves/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in what was supposed to be a quick battle lasting no longer than a couple of weeks. But, much to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s surprise and disgust, the small country was not so easily defeated. The world rallied around Ukraine, further upsetting Putin. As countries placed sanctions on Russia, banned them from attending certain events, and provided weapons to Ukraine, the Kremlin grew evermore desperate and furious. Putin has threatened to use nuclear warfare if the US continues to aid his enemy. This is still a viable threat going into 2023 and Ukraine continues to thwart the much larger force.
The Death of Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
On September 8, 2022, England lost an iconic monarch, and the world was changed forever. Queen Elizabeth was only 25 years old when she became the county’s leader and she held her office for 70 years. Despite some of the scandals from the other royals, the queen remained dignified and free of tabloid rumors. She was an inspirational leader who will forever remain one of history’s most patriotic and successful leaders. In 1947, on Elizabeth’s 21st birthday, she said during a radio broadcast:
“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.
“But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.”
To see our gallery of Queen Elizabeth’s life, click here.
Entertainment
The Slap Heard ‘Round the World
Will Smith and Chris Rock (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Who can forget when the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, actor Will Smith, got fresh with Chris Rock, slapping the comedian during an awards ceremony? Known as “the slap heard ‘round the world,” the actor’s assault didn’t do his career or popularity any favors. In April, the Motion Picture Academy banned Smith from the Oscars for ten years. Although he apologized profusely, the damage was done. But that didn’t stop activists from claiming racism, because everything is motivated by race, right? As LN reported, “Eisa Nefertari Ulen, author and film critic who was a guest on PBS News Hour, said it was important for people to see the slap moment through a lens of “black pain.” She said the actor was definitely triggered, and in an op-ed for The Hollywood Reporter, wrote, “The film industry has, historically, swirled us around just enough to get a taste of Blackness and, soon enough, spit us out.”
Alec Baldwin Shoots and Kills Crewmember
Alec Baldwin (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)
While we’re on the subject of celebrity assault, one of Hollywood’s most liberal actors accidentally shot and killed Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while on the movie set of the western, Rust. Alec Baldwin adamantly proclaimed his innocence, blaming everyone else for the horrible accident. Lawsuits were filed and settled, Baldwin gave interviews, and HollyWeird know-it-alls weighed in on the issue. Ever playing the leading role, Mr. Baldwin sought sympathy from fans, claiming he feared for his life because Trump supporters want to kill him. So far, he has not been officially charged in the shooting.
Disney’s Wokeness Woes
(Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
The happiest place on Earth wasn’t so joyful in 2022. Like many other entertainment industries, Disney decided to play at politics and take on Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. For its efforts, the company found itself losing out on a great deal it had going with the state. “The Loneliest Place on Earth,” as LN National Columnist Sarah Cowgill dubbed it, had to sit back and witness its theme parks dwindle in visitors and its stock sink by 45% this year, the largest fall since 1974. Going woke just might be the recipe for going broke for this Magical Kingdom.
Harry & Meghan
Harry and Meghan (Photo by Henning Kaiser/picture alliance via Getty Images)
To round off 2022, we have the not-so-royal (anymore) couple Harry and Meghan and their constant need to tattle on the royal family and try to gain sympathy from the world. This power couple who claims they want to be left alone to enjoy privacy have spent the past couple of years seeking out every media outlet available to tell their story of mistreatment and racism they reportedly suffered at the palace and by the press. The latest tale of misery was in the form of Netflix’s docuseries Harry & Meghan, which, as LN wrote, was “Nothing but a stab at a Harlequin romance with racism and woe-is-us thrown in for good measure.” One can only hope we have seen the last of these trivial waste of time efforts in the new year.
On a happier note, wasn’t it nice to have a year not dominated by COVID?
