- MUST READS
- PRODUCTS
- RESOURCES
- MULTIMEDIA
- ENFACTLOPEDIA
- FSM AUTHORS
- ABOUT US
- CONTACT US
- FSM BLOG
- DONATE
- PRESS COVERAGE
SEARCH FSM
- IN THIS SECTION
November 27, 2008
Exclusive: Thanksgiving Cheer
As we settle down to Thanksgiving dinner in this difficult time, let us follow the example of President-elect Obama in one approach with which we can probably all agree.
It was with an ebullient spirit of optimism that he ran his lengthy campaign and which led so many to follow his lead on other matters. In that same spirit of optimism, let us give thanks for all that is right with these great United States. The vast majority of us will sit down for dinner surrounded by loving family. We will be wearing warm clothes and have a roof over our heads as we enjoy a traditional turkey meal, with accompaniments to ensure that most of us will overeat, and many will imbibe just a drop too much alcohol. We will be celebrating the founding of the greatest nation in the history of the world, and we will mostly do so in comfort and style.
I know it’s hard at this moment, as we lurch from crisis to crisis, to be cheerful. Financial meltdown, banks in crisis, retirement funds halved in value, GM, Ford and Chrysler with their begging bowls out while threatening massive additional unemployment, etc, etc. And the rest of the world is in no better shape: North Koreans are starving while their masters try and move missile parts to their friends in Iran, as both countries continue their pushes to develop nuclear weapons. Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez is claiming a mandate from the people to continue his Socialist (in all the very worst senses) experiments despite loss of popular support in the latest elections. People of many nations, particularly in Darfur and Zimbabwe, are suffering horribly. And Piracy has returned as a profitable enterprise off the Horn of Africa while the navies of the civilized world sit helpless, due to bureaucratic, legal and political correctness gone mad. But it’s not all bad news.
At home there will undoubtedly be a great deal of conversation. Much of it will be about politics, some hopeful for and some fearful of the immediate future. There will be disagreements and arguments. But there will be much more companionable conversation (and gossip) and catching up on family news. Some will remember to bless our founders. Some will think of how privileged we are to live in a system which allows us to have these conversations. After all, there are many countries around the world where living without the blessings of freedom means that discussing politics is a dangerous topic, literally and physically rather than emotionally; thus highlighting that here even arguments can be treasured and enjoyed!
There are many places in the world where the concept of a turkey dinner would be regarded as an unimaginable luxury. That does not mean we should feel guilty as we tuck in, for such places are often those to which so very many generous Americans donate money, time and effort to alleviate the suffering. This highlights a much underappreciated trait of Americans - their generosity to those less prosperous or fortunate than themselves. This nation is also generous of spirit, and I believe a majority will take the time to say a prayer or blessing or thank you to those brave heroes who are unable to be at home this Thanksgiving, because they are on duty abroad or near home, defending our right to sit at our ease at home. Many of them will be risking (and even giving) their lives for our benefit, so it is right and proper to remember them at this special time, and most Americans do.
But this great nation does face some serious problems, so here is some good news to focus on as we move into the celebration of the founding of our blessed America:
- The USA is a great nation. The greatest nation the world has ever seen. For over 200 years, despite the best efforts of some of the most incompetent, venal and/or corrupt politicians ever seen anywhere (interspersed with a few good ones), the United States has continuously grown stronger by following the precepts of the Founding Fathers. This proven formula will keep us safe and prosperous.
- The greatest strength of the United States, The People, remain as innovative, hard-working and resilient as ever. We will overcome any and all adversity to continue our progress as the leaders of the world.
- The USA saw a Great Depression before, and came out of it stronger than previously. It will again! The markets may be bad, but there are many exceptions, like WalMart for example, which continues to do well, and the following companies continue to sell their products to a market which is not going to go away: Coca Cola (soda), Walt Disney (dreams), AT&T (phone calls), Kimberley Clark (toilet roll), McDonalds (fast food), Bayer (Aspirin), ConEd (electricity), Caterpillar (bulldozers), Nike (sneakers), etc. This is by no means a comprehensive list – just a short sample of American companies who are not in trouble. In fact there are more of them than there are struggling companies!
- Our military heroes are winning in Iraq and will succeed in Afghanistan. We can all rest easy knowing we have the best motivated, trained and equipped armed forces on the planet.
- We have prevented a repeat of 9/11 so far, a huge success in the War on Terror. Osama remains in hiding and is more likely eating goat stew than turkey (may he choke on it, whatever he eats).
- Our Law Enforcement community is highly effective, and maintains a peace we can all enjoy.
Of course there is much wrong in America, and in the rest of the world. Being the leaders of the free world also means that many foreigners make full use of the smallest opportunity to criticize and highlight our internal problems. I am hugely fortunate to have been lucky enough to come here at a very young age, and to have been a fan of the USA ever since. I am also very conscious that, while we tend to focus on the things that are wrong, the USA remains the number one destination of choice for the vast majority of the less free. This is because there is so much in America that is good, in fact better than anywhere else. I am thankful to be here, and that seems particularly appropriate at this time of year.
I hope you enjoy yourself and enjoy your family this holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!
Family Security Matters Contributing Editor Tim Wilson is a retired British Army officer who now works as an independent consultant. Feedback: editorialdirector@familysecuritymatters.org.
| Print This E-mail This |
|
