vc318

We lost so many famous people in 2009 that it's incredible. Like Ted Kennedy, Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze and so many others.

So, what news did you find to be the most shocking in 2009?

sunnykerr

Sarah Palin as a serious political candidate... and for the vice-presidency, no less... ranks pretty high up there. I mean, seriously... she made W look good.

vc318

^ I think many would consider that to be pretty shocking.

sunnykerr

Well, that's my "bad shocking" headline. My "good shocking" would be something like Captain Sully landing that airplane in the middle of the Hudson and saving everyone on board.

And then you have stories that aren't particularly shocking, like Ted Kennedy dying, which could not have been more significant. I mean, his death ended an era, but it also changed radically the fabric of American politics.

Wildfire Girl

Shocking ... that's a hard one. Probably the most 'shocking' to me was Tiger Woods. But prominent headlines definetly included Michael Jackson (couldn't see his death as shocking due to his lifestyle) and the plane landing.

ceilirose

I don't know if I was shocked - but I was really surprised at just how stupid Tiger Woods was and is. I'll give him a pass because I think he has some sort of addiction - whether it's sex and/or just taking dangerous chances. Maybe he just needs to grow up.

Other than that - I don't think anything can really shock me anymore.

sunnykerr

Well, don't think of it as "shocking" per se, then. What are the big stories of this year for you?

vc318

I think MJ's death hurt alot of fans but as far as "shocking," well, it was always felt that MJ just wouldn't live a long life with everything that he went through, in my opinion.

sunnykerr

Plus, when you see someone who's so ill for so long... I don't know, you get a sense that it can't end well, you know?

vc318

Yeah, that's true. Like people knew Anna Nicole Smith wouldn't live a long life and, behold, she didn't.

sunnykerr

Exactly.