1. Justin Hsuan’s
Best and Worst
News of the Year

2. Most Memorable
On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United
States in front of a cheering crowd over a million people. The crowd
stretched from the Capitol all the way to the Washington Monument and
beyond. Obama took the oath of office on the same Bible used by Abraham
Lincoln in 1861. Obama was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts Jr.
During the swearing in, both John Roberts and Barack Obama mixed up their
lines. After the swearing in Obama delivered his inaugural address, in which
he urged Americans to unite in confronting the economic challenges and the
fight against terrorism. After the speech, poet Elizabeth Alexander read her
poem “Praise Song for the Day”, which paid tribute to the contributions of
working Americans and slaves.
I chose this article because if I only remembered one event this
whole year, it would be Obama’s inauguration. It is also the most
memorable event because Barack Obama is the United States’
first African-American president.

3. Most Amazing
On February 2, 2009, Los Angeles Lakers
shooting guard Kobe Bryant scored 61
points against the New York Knicks at
Madison Square Garden as the Lakers beat
the Knicks 126-117. The 61 points set two
Garden records. Kobe Bryant broke Michael
Jordan’s record of the most points scored at the Garden by an
opponent, which was 55. Bryant also broke Bernard King’s
record of most points scored at the Garden by any player,
which was 60. During the game, Knicks fans started chanting
M.V.P. for Bryant. Kobe Bryant shot 19-31 from the field and
20-20 from the foul line.
I chose this article for Most Amazing because Kobe Bryant’s
game set a couple of records. Also I love basketball and Kobe
Bryant is my favorite player.

4. Most Heroic
On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 crash-landed in the
Hudson River. The plane had lost power from both of its engines after
supposedly striking a flock of birds. The plane took off from La Guardia
at 3:26 p.m. and lost power only a minute into the flight. Captain
Chesley Sullenberger III decided the plane could not make it back to La
Guardia and decided to try to land in the Hudson to avoid harm. After
the plane landed, three New York Waterway commuter ferries rushed
to the scene to help get the plane passengers to safety. All 155 people
were okay with only a couple of injuries. Captain Sullenberger has
been called a hero and has received thanks from Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Paterson.
I chose this article for Most Heroic because Chesley Sullenberger has been described as a
hero who saves many lives. I agree and think that Chesley Sullenberger is the hero of the
year.

5. Most Controversial
On November 4th, 2008, California voters voted for Proposition 8, a constitutional
amendment that banned same-sex marriage in California. Proposition 8 won 52 percent
of the vote. This decision happened only months after California’s highest court ruled gay
marriage constitutional. The passing of Prop 8 is seen as a major defeat for gay right
activists because California is usually a trendsetter in many areas. $73 million dollars was
spent on this race, a record for a ballot measure on a social issue. Two other
states, Florida and Arizona, also banned gay marriage.
I chose this article for Most Controversial because of how much the issue of gay marriage
is being debated about. I hear all the time on CNN a Democrat and a Republican arguing
about gay marriage. Also a lot of people I know talk about it so I know it’s a controversial
issue.

6. Most Comical
On December 14, 2008, an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at
President Bush’s head. Bush had been on a trip to Iraq and was at a
news conference in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-
Maliki.The journalist, Muntader al-Zaidi, stood
up and said “This is a gift from the Iraqis;
this is the farewell kiss, you dog!” He then
threw the shoe which Bush narrowly dodged.
Zaidi then threw his other shoe, shouting
“This is from the widows, the orphans, and
those who were killed in Iraq!” That shoe
also missed. Zaidi was then beaten up and
taken out of the room by security agents.
In Iraq hitting someone with a shoe is the ultimate insult because it
means the target is lower than the shoe which is always touching the
ground.
I chose this for Most Comical because I am not a fan of Bush and I
enjoy seeing strange things happen to him. I also think that shoe
throwing is very funny.

7. Most Frightening
On April 26, 2009, U.S. health officials declared a public health
emergency. At the time of this article there were 20 confirmed
cases of the H1N1 swine flu virus in the U.S. including 8 in New
York City. The outbreak first started in Mexico where it has
killed 103 people. Homeland Security Secretary Janet
Napolitano called the emergency declaration “standard
operating procedure” and said its more like a “declaration of
emergency preparedness.” The emergency declaration allows the government to free more
money for antiviral drugs and give some previously unapproved tests and drugs to children.
One quarter of the national stockpile of 50 million courses of antiflu drugs will be released.
Several schools in New York have closed.
I chose this article for Most Frightening because at the time, there was very little information
on the new virus and people didn’t know how to deal with it. When people don’t know about
something dangerous, they tend to be extra scared. I know I was. Also there were a lot of
cases in New York City, which is close to where I live.