Of course it is.  And, of course time flies and another Thanksgiving must be observed. We give thanks in many different ways and for many different things.

Our national preoccupation with the Pilgrim Fathers and Mothers who began the Europeanization of America is back once again.  But there is so much more to give thanks for since those early days on the rock bound shores of land belonging to tribes of Native Americans now decimated or extinct.  These are things that make the most sense to me rather than a reenactment of just a small snapshot of a picture that comes to mind each November 24th.

I give thanks for the ideals of democracy, a written constitution, an elected representative government and the PUBLIC SCHOOLS that have taught these ideals to a dozen or more generations.

I give thanks for the bounty of nature that has made our nation serve as a cornucopia of sustenance not only for all of our people, the rich and the less fortunate, but to all peoples everywhere.  The only selfishness here in America is demonstrated by the rich who will accept the largess of a Congress in thrall to a “popular” president who wants to take us into a war.

I give thanks for the freedom I exercise each time I write my mind.  I tell it as I see it and do not worry that I am breaking some law nor am I afraid of offending someone. It is sad that I am offended many times others exercise the same freedom.

I give thanks for our Free Press which does not always remain independent but knows which advertisers pay the bills.

I give thanks for the PUBLIC EDUCATION system that has produced so many hardworking government workers who are paid well for their efforts on our behalf. I give thanks for a myriad of inventive geniuses who give us more than they usually receive.

I give thanks for the future minded conservationists who hug trees and remind us that we share this globe with other creatures that we have wounded. We care not if they disappear forever but we care about caged pregnant sows.

I give thanks for the freedom of expression in religion and wish that the missionary inflicted creeds would tend to their own flocks and not try to influence legislation for their narrow causes. 

I give thanks for all our good friends and relatives - Happy Thanksgiving from Carol and Aaron.