Person of the Year suggestion (so far)
The list of suggested Person of the Year candidates continues to grow. So far, we have (in no particular order):
The philosopher Baroness Mary Warnock, who argued this year that people with dementia should be able to end their lives if they feel they are a burden to others or to the NHS.
Barack Obama, the first black US president.
Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, who called for military action against the regime of Robert Mugabe.
The broadcaster and journalist John Sergent, who walked away.
Mickey Harte, who united spirituality and sport in acheiving a legendary status within Gaelic sports.
Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross for triggering one of the biggest public debates about media ethics for a very long time.
Muntadar al-Zaidi, the Iraqi TV reporter who threw his shoes at President Bush during a press conference.
Muntadar al-Zaidi's shoe.
Presbyterian Mutual Society, which went into administration and placed the credibility of the Presbyterian Church's leaders in the balance too.
Dr Donald Watts, the Presbyterian Church's General Secretary, for helpfully explaining that the church's General Assembly had not offered "advice" to church members when it passed a resolution "encouraging" them to "avail themselves of the services" of the Presbyterian Mutual Society.
Sarah Palin, who proved that America's religious right was finished -- or not finished, depending on who you believe.
The Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest science experience, which is trying to locate "the God particle".
The "Credit Crunch", an idea whose idea has regrettably come.
The Priests, from parishes in Northern Ireland to platinum-selling recording artists.
Iris Robinson, the Northern Ireland MP who made international headlines for suggesting that gay people could be cured.
James Parker, the man who came to the defence of Iris Robinson by saying that his sexuality was changed after therapy.
Iris Robinson's "lovely Christian psychiatrist", Dr Paul Millar.
You can still suggest candidates for Person of the Year 2008 here. On the 28 December edition of Sunday Sequence, a panel of commentators will share their suggestions. It's not a competition: I get to pick the Person of the Year (it's one of my few remaining pleasures), and I'll reveal his, her or its identity, and explain why I've made that choice, on the blog on December 31st.
Comment number 1.
At 16:44 17th Dec 2008, gveale wrote:We're stretching "person" a little aren't we?
I mean, Jonathan Ross!
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Comment number 2.
At 16:51 17th Dec 2008, gveale wrote:Can we rule out Obama ?
Obama as Person of the year 2008 makes me feel as if we're voting for an image or a feel good factor.
What we want is a world situation where we can vote Obama as person of the year 2009 or 2010. Maybe "Person of the Decade 2010". If he can dig us out of the Iraq crisis, or the recession, or stop the nukes warming up in Asia, then we'll have something to feel good about.
GV
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Comment number 3.
At 17:03 17th Dec 2008, William Crawley (BBC) wrote:gveale, I can't rule anything in or out yet, but I certainly take your point.
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Comment number 4.
At 17:10 17th Dec 2008, John Wright wrote:GV- Yup maybe you're right. Sarah Palin it is!
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Comment number 5.
At 17:18 17th Dec 2008, gveale wrote:Thanks guys.
I think Obama was the right choice for the US, but what do I know?
In any case, I'm not likely to get a chance to post again until after Christmas - so happy Yule-tide to y'all.
(And Helio - it took ages to get that argument on a blog. Durned technology. At least leave me a couple of good insults. Here or there, I dn't care).
mereorthodoxy.blogspot.com
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Comment number 6.
At 20:00 17th Dec 2008, jovialPTL wrote:I wouldn't pick Sarah Palin either. Here today, gone tomorrow. I'd pick Blago, the governor of Illinois. For sheer audacity!
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Comment number 7.
At 20:03 17th Dec 2008, John Wright wrote:Enjoy the holiday, GV.
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Comment number 8.
At 12:21 19th Dec 2008, Gareth wrote:Forget Paisley/McGuiness for uniting norn iron.
It's gotta be Eoghan Quigg!!!
In our trivial, media led, mind numbing, fame hungry, fundamentalist athesiestic dawkins hugging society, he's gotta be the winner.
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Comment number 9.
At 13:47 19th Dec 2008, Heliopolitan wrote:I can understand people not being able to *tolerate* atheists, but at least they could learn how to *spell* them...
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Comment number 10.
At 02:01 22nd Dec 2008, Orville Eastland wrote:I'd add another US politician to my list, who may be more influential than Ron Paul- Patrick Fitzgerald... He's incorruptible, takes on Left and Right (often winning), and has handled numerous high profile cases. Plus, for those who are from the Emerald Isle (Republic or North), he's of Irish descent...
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Comment number 11.
At 23:52 22nd Dec 2008, Ian Hall wrote:How about the BBC for fair and impartial reporting especially on issues and people such as climate change, homosexuality, creationism, the Iraq war,Israel, conservative evangelical christanity, Barack Obama, and of course George W Bush.
I think Crawley would be a good choice to receive that award on behalf of the corporation. He is a good example of the fairness and impartiality of the BBC on these issues.
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