Jay Elston
2004-11-25 04:04:02 UTC
First a thank you to Jim for the parrot joke. Jokes like that
are never too old to recycle...
Now for a serious note -- for all of you who are new to the U.S. here's
is a synopsis of what Thanksgiving is about.
First, this is probably the only _two_ day holiday that is commonly
celebrated in the U.S. (All of our other holidays are one day holidays
that we conveniently schedule for Monday so as to turn them into three
day holidays...)
Second, this little essay is presented as an exercise in spreading
curtural understanding. It is not meant to be offensive, any offense
anyone takes is purely accidental. Conversely, if you continue reading
with the _hopes_ of being offended, but are not offended, well, I refuse
to apologize for that either...
Thanksgiving is a holiday in the U.S. where we are supposed take time
and reflect on our situation, count our blessings, and be thankful.
Suprisingly enough, many of us do this (usually after the football game
is over and before the food is served).
So, what do we have to be thankful about this year, huh? This has not
been one of our nation's best years. We are at war (never anything to
be happy about). Our nation's economy is iffy -- jobs are getting "off-
shored", other global economies are developing to the point where they
begin to rival ours. We have just completed a nasty election cycle, and
political partisanship is becoming strident to the point of straining
friendships and family relationships. I am sure pessimists can find even
more to whine about...
However, we can all use the "cup-half-full" outlook to find things to be
thankful about, even if what we are thankful for differs from person to
person.
Half the U.S. is thankful that they re-elected G.W. Bush.
The other half is thankful for a chance to elect Hillary four years from
now.
Half the U.S. can be thankful that technology has advanced to the point
where hybrid vehicles (that are "ecologically friendly") can be
purchased at a reasonable price.
The other half can be thankful that they can still by HUMMERS.
Most of the U.S. is thankful for the chance to feast on turkey.
The other half is thankful for the chance to feast on tofu.
But I know that all of us realize how truly blessed we are. We have
friends and family that we share life and experiences with. And we
have memories from those friends and family that we have shared life
and experiences with.
Peace to all alt.primenet.com...
are never too old to recycle...
Now for a serious note -- for all of you who are new to the U.S. here's
is a synopsis of what Thanksgiving is about.
First, this is probably the only _two_ day holiday that is commonly
celebrated in the U.S. (All of our other holidays are one day holidays
that we conveniently schedule for Monday so as to turn them into three
day holidays...)
Second, this little essay is presented as an exercise in spreading
curtural understanding. It is not meant to be offensive, any offense
anyone takes is purely accidental. Conversely, if you continue reading
with the _hopes_ of being offended, but are not offended, well, I refuse
to apologize for that either...
Thanksgiving is a holiday in the U.S. where we are supposed take time
and reflect on our situation, count our blessings, and be thankful.
Suprisingly enough, many of us do this (usually after the football game
is over and before the food is served).
So, what do we have to be thankful about this year, huh? This has not
been one of our nation's best years. We are at war (never anything to
be happy about). Our nation's economy is iffy -- jobs are getting "off-
shored", other global economies are developing to the point where they
begin to rival ours. We have just completed a nasty election cycle, and
political partisanship is becoming strident to the point of straining
friendships and family relationships. I am sure pessimists can find even
more to whine about...
However, we can all use the "cup-half-full" outlook to find things to be
thankful about, even if what we are thankful for differs from person to
person.
Half the U.S. is thankful that they re-elected G.W. Bush.
The other half is thankful for a chance to elect Hillary four years from
now.
Half the U.S. can be thankful that technology has advanced to the point
where hybrid vehicles (that are "ecologically friendly") can be
purchased at a reasonable price.
The other half can be thankful that they can still by HUMMERS.
Most of the U.S. is thankful for the chance to feast on turkey.
The other half is thankful for the chance to feast on tofu.
But I know that all of us realize how truly blessed we are. We have
friends and family that we share life and experiences with. And we
have memories from those friends and family that we have shared life
and experiences with.
Peace to all alt.primenet.com...