2016 Overview

2016 will likely become known as a turning point in the history of our civilization, as it has in many ways begun the reversal of the trend of encroaching social justice dogma that has plagued the West over the past few years. In terms of politics, many nations have realized that the greatest danger to their existence is the tyranny and violence of Islam, and have finally taken measures to protect their countries from it, abandoning the toxic political correctness which has already done so much damage to the cultural fabric of the West. Main stream media outlets, especially in The United States, have been exposed more clearly than ever before to be manipulative and dishonest propaganda machines, colluding with their preferred political candidates to the detriment of the vast majority of the populace. Libertarian and voluntaryist philosophers have reached bigger audiences than ever before, and the message of liberty is now being preached loudly and proudly. Though socialism has caused grave situations in nations such as Venezuela, and Islam continues its war against the West and liberty, if those who love freedom are resolute and take this opportunity to work hard, a free world is not out of grasp.

Let us review the most significant events of each month of this year, and analyze their effects on the struggle for liberty.

January:
The Saudi Arabian government executed Shia sheik Nimr Al-Nimr, and ended formal diplomatic relations with the government of Iran. As Saudi Arabia and Iran are arguably the most influential and powerful nations belonging to the Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam respectively, this did not bode well for international peace, and strife does not often lead people to desire freedom from government. Possibly the only bright side to this situation was the fact that divisions within Islam lessen its capability to do harm to outside groups.

February:
Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church and Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church signed an ecumenical declaration addressing many issues, including calling for an end to persecution of Christians in the Middle East and the desire for unity between the churches. As it was the first meeting between the leaders of these churches in nearly a thousand years, the hope of an end to internal conflict between Christians is reassuring. Though Christianity is not perfect nor philosophically valid, the values it imbues in people lead to greater freedom and respect for human dignity than does Islam, a great threat to the West. The more unified the West is, the more likely it is to be able to set a great example of liberty.

March:
Three related bombings in Brussels, Belgium, killed 32 people and injured at least 250. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks. Citizens of European nations began to see that mass Muslim immigration to their countries would have devastating results, as Islam is a culture diametrically opposed to that present in the West. They came not to assimilate and pursue better lives, but to conquer.

April:
In the largest data leak in history, 11.5 million documents from the Panamian law firm Mossack Fonseca were published that revealed hundreds of thousands of shell companies set up, governments were avoiding sanctions, and much more. Involved in this were heads of state and government officials in dozens of countries, as well as many more business people and well known personalities. One hopes after seeing such a total record of the corruption those with government connection are able to use to their advantage, that in the future this same sort of activity will be easily exposed. It is another tool to increase state transparency, and thus encumber the growth of the state.

May:
EgyptAir Flight 804 en route from Paris to Cairo crashed in the Mediterranean Sea, killing all 66 people on board. Analysis of flight recorder data and debris indicated an on board fire, and in December 2016, Egyptian officials said traces of explosives were found on the bodies. Many suspect Islamic terrorism to be the cause, and many more are upset at how little information has been released to the public. It is an ugly event that is marred further its possible cause and coverup.

June:
The United Kingdom's referendum on whether or not to leave the European Union comes out in favor of leaving. This will prove useful in coming years for preserving the sovereignty of Britain, which is beneficial to the cause of freedom in many ways. Local government is preferred to distant government, and small to big. With the UK now freer to make its own decisions regarding important topics such as number of immigrants admitted, it will soon be much better able to control the influx of people who very often hate the liberty that the UK possesses. Secondly, the UK has a rich tradition of valuing of liberty more than almost any other nation, even those in continental Europe. If it is better able to preserve its own brand of conduct, its value of freedom cannot be diluted by outside forces. This will be remembered as a joyous victory for the cause of freedom.

July:
On Bastille Day in Nice, France, Mohamed Bouhlel drove a cargo truck into celebrating crowds, killing 86 people and injuring 434. ISIS claimed responsibility for this attack as well, praising this wicked man for answering their calls to attack civilians in nations participating in campaigns against ISIS. Thankfully, Francois Holland was actually honest enough to call this an act of Islamic Terrorism, something which had not often been seen due to the dominance of political correctness designed to import Muslims as a new tax base. He extended the state of emergency which had been active since November of 2015 to January 2017, and ordered more airstrikes against ISIS. Unfortunately, he did not realize that bombing ISIS in Islamic lands would only really serve to increase the amount of people who feel that they are Muslims at war with the West, a process called blow-back. He also did not realize that the real problem was the Muslims already present in France, supplanting the native French culture with their own violent and anti-freedom culture.

August:
Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil, is impeached due mostly to corruption and a horrible situation in Brazil in general. The fact that an executive in government is actually punished for misdeeds is great news to anyone concerned with liberty, and the exasperation of people experiencing those misdeeds is a great opportunity for them to realize that politics and the state is never a good answer.

September:
The government of North Korea conducted one of its largest ever nuclear tests, leading to international condemnation. To see the regime that is likely more harshly oppressive and absolutely devoid of liberty than any other being only criticized in this manner makes one remember similar situations in Central Europe in the 1930's... Though North Korea is not really a threat to the liberty of nations worldwide, any triumph celebrated by that government is certainly a sad thing to hear for those lucky enough to live outside it.

October:
The Malidves withdrew from the Commonwealth of Nations. Though perhaps some English influence might have positively affected the largely Islamic population, it is also good to see local government take over in place of international government.

November:
Donald Trump won the election to the office of President of the United States of America. Though he certainly will not be able to turn around wholly or avert impending crises having to do with economics, one hopes that his influence will help curb immigration from cultures that do not value freedom, and thus help preserve the treasured freedoms American culture does value. The fact that the mainstream media was so thoroughly discredited and shown to be the enemy of the people is great news to libertarians and voluntaryists, who have known this for years. Trump's victory has inspired many others around the globe to not be afraid to offend others in honest rational discourse, and to realize that the precious liberties endowed to Westerners by their ancestors are worth the world. His victory marks a turning point in the war between liberty and responsibility against violence and tyranny.

December:
Andrei Karlov, Russian ambassador to Turkey, is assassinated in Ankara. Further straining the tense relations between Russia and Turkey, Vladimir Putin denounced this attack as an attempt to do exactly that. Karlov's assassin, an off-duty Turkish police officer, shouted "Don't forget Aleppo, don't forget Syria!" and "Allahu Akbar" while waving a gun and performing an Islamic salute. It seems this assassination was the culmination of several days of protests by Islamist groups within Turkey against both the Russian intervention in Syria and ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Turkey. It reveals a very polarized nation, containing those who wish to taste the sweetness of freedom, and sadly many who wish to live in the darkness and violence of Islam. Certainly, those who love liberty hate to see tension between powerful governments.

All in all, 2016 was quite an interesting year, and it seems one that will come to be seen as significant and indeed a sort of turning point in the history of the West. There were great crises at home and abroad, and dark times abounded. However, through the gloom shone small glints of hope, and the opportunity for positive change and work toward greater freedom presented itself. As one who loves liberty and knows its power for human good, it is your duty and mine to spread the great message of freedom, of its power for peace, prosperity, and happiness, and not to let the petty evils of this world hinder our efforts.

Have a wonderful new year in 2017, let's see what a tremendous difference we can make.