Everyone's making their lists of the 20th century and checking them twice.

ESPN has their "50 best athletes of the 20th century." Several entertainment magazines have their "100 top (television moments, music moments, artists, etc.) of the 20th century." I think I also saw a magazine that listed the top 20 miracles of the 20th century.

Even with half a year left in 1999, the century is basically over for the list makers. They also seem not to care that the beginning of the 21st century technically doesn't start until 2001.

Can't necessarily blame them. Whoever gets their list out first will set the standard for all other lists to compare themselves against. It's "Entertainment Weekly" vs. "Rolling Stone." ESPN vs. NBC sports. "Woman's Day" vs. "McCall's."

I've decided to get in the act with my own list. But it's not a "best of" list. Instead, my list is a list of what I'd like to see happen in the 21st century. That allows for 100 years for them to happen, so maybe I'll get a few of them in before everyone starts thinking about the top 100 computer programs of the 21st century.

It's in no specific order.

(drum roll please):

My list of events I'd like to see happen in the 21st century:

• The end to hate groups.

If everyone realized that every person is human regardless of the color of one's skin, everyone bleeds the same, everyone feels the same emotions and has family, maybe the hate groups would put down their weapons and shake hands in brotherhood.

No more white against black against Latinos against Asians. No more upper class vs. plebeian. No more Catholics vs. protestants, or Christians vs. Muslims. No more hetero vs. homo.

It's much simpler said than done, I know. Much of the hate between opposing groups goes back years, centuries, even millennia. Expecting a hundred years for things to change is like expecting a child to be potty trained in a day.

But, as one man asked, "Why can't we all just get along?"

• More human interaction.

I know technology is making life easier, when the technology doesn't shut down. People can communicate with one another over their computers without ever having to breathe the outside air or face the sun.

Is that what we want, though?

I don't.

I like to sit around with a group of people, either indoors or outdoors, even if no one has anything to say. Isolation is pretty boring and isn't good for the human spirit, what spirit people have left in them.

Besides, with more interaction, maybe we can all begin to understand one another a little more instead of beating each other over the head.

• Stop curing every human ailment with a drug.

There are people in this world whose livelihood does depend on an anti-depressant or depressant. Without it, they may bounce off the walls or end their lives.

Then there are people who need a drug for everything from a headache or nosebleed to getting rid of an hour of sadness. They don't want to face the fact that life isn't perfect, people hurt or die.

But how can you be human without the occasional heartache that precedes or follows the occasional happiness? How can you know what true happiness is without knowing true sorrow? You simply can't.

Before a doctor prescribes a pill for an ailment, the doctor should be certain there is no alternative to the drug. Like, take a vacation. Get some peace and quiet. Talk to someone. And if that doesn't work ... pray, as my mom would say.

• Taking responsibility for one's own actions; or in other words, stop suing for the sake of making money.

If you spill hot coffee on yourself, it's not McDonald's fault. McDonald's didn't make you buy the coffee and it didn't make you spill it.

If you fall on a sidewalk because of ice, it's not the homeowner's fault. If you're going to be outdoors during the winter, expect ice.

Now, if something does occur that could obviously be prevented (say someone hits you with their car because they were speeding and didn't see you crossing the street), sue. Be my guest. But don't sue another for your own mistake.

• Acknowledging our mistakes and apologizing.

As humans, mistakes are as common as cockroaches. They're everywhere and even if the atomic bomb goes off, cockroaches will still live on and humans will continue to make mistakes.

As the quote goes, "To err is human, to forgive is divine."

There's nothing wrong in apologizing. And it's OK to forgive.

When the Pope was shot in the 1980s, did he say, "Hang the man"? No, of course not. He forgave his would-be assassin. And even though the Pope is supposed to be a greater man, he is, after all, human.

• Finally, a government that actually works for the people instead of for multi-million-dollar interest groups.

Whether it's the AARP, GLAAD, NRA or the Christian Coalition, interest groups have taken away the term "We the People" and replaced it with "We the PACs."

How American is that?

Laws are now not made to make the United States a better place. They are made so politicians can get a few fistfuls of donations.

Want a law passed? Donate your life savings.

That's my list for the moment. There are other things I'd like to see happen, but I'll save them for another day.

And will they come to pass? I may not live to see them but perhaps future generations will. Providing they want it. [[In-content Ad]]