Rough end to 2014

There's only a few days left in 2014, but it doesn't seem like the year is ending with a  flourish. It's been a strange year. There's been highs and lows. But the way the year has ended makes you wonder what lies ahead.

For weeks now, there's been legitimate protests throughout the country. This isn't just about a single death and a single grand jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri, anymore. That may have been the biggest catalyst, but this is a nationwide call to action. And I can't help if this is carry over from last year.

One of my favorite movies from 2013 was "Fruitvale Station." It was ironic, it seemed, that the movie that depicted a young black man killed by a white police office for now justifiable reason was hitting theaters nationwide during the Trayvon Martin decision. It put the issue to the forefront and, sadly, it hasn't gone away.

We like to think things are better in 2014 when it comes to race relations, and perhaps that's true. But if anything, the events in Ferguson, Missouri, and so many other places in this country show that we have a long way to go. And if the authorities spent as much time finding ways to honor their calling and duty as they have complaining about high profile athletes who've joined the protests, we might live in a better world.

The other recent story that's captured our national attention is the Sony Picture hack, and the subsequent decision to cancel "The Interview." I don't know if "The Interview" is a great film, but it's certainly become a symbol. North Korea threatened the United States, mentioning 9/11 and tying it to Christmas Day, a time about family and celebrations.

I have listened to well reasoned arguments on both sides. Many feel that pulling the film is letting the terrorists and a certain dictator win, and that's true. President Barak Obama even weighed in on the issue, calling Sony's decision a mistake. It's easy to say that and easy to feel that way.

But what if Sony forged ahead and a theater was bombed? Not that it would have been easy to find a theater to play the film since most, if not all, off them backed out. What would all these people, and what would our government say if people were tragically killed on Christmas Day because of a movie?

I think what unifies these stories for me is that there are no easy answers.