2003: WHAT A WILD RIDE THE YEAR HAS BEEN.The year 2003 began with the nation's economy in deep trouble and ends with the stock market rising strongly, productivity soaring and prospects for the new year bright. There was the glory of victory in the war in Iraq and the toppling of Saddam Hussein - and then months of agonizing losses from insurgent INSURGENT. One who is concerned in an insurrection. He differs from a rebel in this, that rebel is always understood in a bad sense, or one who unjustly opposes the constituted authorities; insurgent may be one who justly opposes the tyranny of constituted authorities. guerrillas bent on keeping a free and democratic society from rising on the ashes of tyranny. There were tragedies like the space shuttle disaster and the deadly brush fires across Southern California. And falls from grace like super-clean basketball star Kobe Bryant facing rape charges and a righteous right-wing commentator under investigation for drug abuse. There were ironies like the purchasing of Ahmanson Ranch to preserve open space and the environment while approving a massive dump in Granada Hills and one of the biggest housing developments ever in Newhall Ranch. There was the bittersweet farewell to the great Bob Hope shortly after celebrating his 100th birthday. But overshadowing it all were the troubles in Sacramento - a $38 billion budget shortfall that threatened funding for schools, cities, transportation, the poor, the environment and just about everything else that makes California the Golden State. It was a financial crisis that became a political crisis, inflaming in·flame v. in·flamed, in·flam·ing, in·flames v.tr. 1. To arouse to passionate feeling or action: crimes that inflamed the entire community. 2. passions among voters not seen in years and ultimately bring down the state's governor in a bitter and contentious recall election. And it brought into public life a hero right out of the silver screen - the Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Stay tuned to see whether a bodybuilder-turned-actor-turned politician can turn around the state. In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , relive the year that was and take a peek at what the year ahead holds. Happy 2004! CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1 -- 3 -- cover -- color) ON THE COVER: Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger elected governor of California The Governor of California is the highest executive authority in the state government, whose responsibilities include making yearly "State of the State" addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced. , Saddam Hussein's statue toppled by U.S. soldiers in Iraq, Comedian Bob Hope dies at 100. Associated Press (4 -- color) Early morning sun illuminates the new Walt Disney Concert Hall This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the for details. This article has been tagged since September 2007. in downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered megacity is such that its downtown core is often considered just another district like Hollywood or prior to its dedication as the new home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic The Los Angeles Philharmonic (LAP) is an American orchestra based in Los Angeles, California, United States. History Founded in 1919 by William Andrews Clark, Jr. and Los Angeles Master Chorale The Los Angeles Master Chorale is a famous professional chorus in Los Angeles, California. Grant Gershon has been its music director since 2001, succeeding Paul Salamunovich. . Nick Ut/Associated Press COVER DESIGN: Jon Gerung DESIGNERS: Donna Marie Wade and Warren Huskey COPY EDITORS: F. Greenwalt, E. Richeson, R. Richey, M. McGarr, T. Cronn, J. O'Connor, H. Reynolds, G. Hoppe, S. Slavin and B. Johnson |
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