Never too late for Thanksgiving

Now that are recovering from our turkey induced haze, the agony of yet another Lions’ loss, as well as the Black Friday scramble, perhaps we should spend a few minutes actually giving thanksgiving for our blessings. (Lets face it, not many did so on the holiday).  

In 1621, the Pilgrims in Plymouth celebrated with Native Americans a feast that spanned over 3 days, in which the Pilgrims gave thanks for the blessings they had received in the new world.  More poignantly, George Washington announced a Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1789, which, among other things, rendered “unto God our sincere and humble thanks” for, among others, “the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge, and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer on us.”  

Washington also “humbly offer[ed] our prayers and supplications” to, among other things, “pardon our national and other transgressions . . . To render our national government a blessing to all people, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed . . . .”

These sentiments, expressed over two centuries ago, cannot yet be improved.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving season.

Saluting Our Soldiers

Today we honor those brave men and women who throughout the ages have defended our liberty in the armed services.  Originally today was called “Armistice Day” - in commemoration of the end of hostilities during The Great War (i.e., World War I).  In 1918, at 11:00 on 11/11, the great powers ended the fighting pending the approval of a final peace.  Because of the enormous sacrifices and historical significance of The Great War (many arguing that it would be the war to end all wars), in November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day as follows: 

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

Taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, this photo reveals soldiers of the US 353rd Infantry in Meuse, France waiting for the Armistice to take hold. 

By 1926, the state legislatures of 27 states had officially recognized the day, and Congress passed a concurrent resolution recognizing the day.  in 1938 it became a legal holiday.  After WWII and the Korean War, in 1954 the day was changed to Veterans Day.  For a while the day floated (1968-1974) to create a 3 day weekend, but in 1975 it was returned to November 11.

The purpose of the day is to take time from the hustle and bustle of the day to give solemn remembrance to those who have given so much for our liberty.  Wilson’s original proclamation may have summed it up best:  

“it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.”

God Bless our veterans, and God Bless America.

Top 10 Reasons to Vote (by Tom Watkins)

We have all have heard it before — this is a crucial election. It is.

If you think elections don’t really matter, reflect back on the past decade in Michigan and America. Leadership matters and now is your chance to choose who will lead our state into the future.

On Nov. 2, all of us, rich or poor, cities and suburbs, blacks or whites, college-educated or high school dropout — we all have one vote.

Don’t use it and you are giving your power away and eroding the very foundation of our state and country.

On Election Day we are all truly equal. We the voters hold the power to decide who will lead our nation, our state and communities into the future.

But you must vote to make your voice heard. Better still — text, e-mail, tweet and Facebook your family and friends and get them to the polls as well.

TOP TEN REASONS TO VOTE

To honor those throughout our history who fought and died to preserve our independence and democracy.

For the men in women in uniform both at home and abroad who are currently fighting for our freedom and to protect our way of life.

For the civil rights activist who fought the injustices so African Americans, who gave their blood sweat and tears to help build this country, could share in all its glory.

For all of the strong women of the Women’s Suffrage movement, who knew “right was right and wrong was wrong” and demanded their place in America.

Vote as an example to our children and the youth of this great country. They will inherit all that freedom and democracy that has built to date. Vote as a reminder that it is their responsibility to build an even more perfect union.

Vote and become a beacon to the world that America is governed for the people and by the people.

Participate as a reminder that we should not take our freedom and democracy for granted. People have been imprisoned and have died for the rights we have come to expect in America.

Vote to prove, once again, that polls don’t win elections. People who vote win elections. Time and time again, we have seen candidates being outspent and written off — only to stand tall in victory after “the people have spoken!”

Voting is an investment in our collective future.

Vote because you can. Democracy only works when we participate. Your vote will help make history.

Vote on Nov. 2 or our liberty and freedom could one day be history.

America & The Invisible Hand

In his first Inaugural Address, George Washington remarked that "it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and the happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes . . . ."

His prayer was followed by an astute observation - which might very well be controversial today if uttered by a President:  "No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States.  Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have distinguished by some token of providential agency . . . ."  

Indeed, any one who truly understands our history would have difficulty in contradicting the sentiment.

In the hustle and bustle of the day, take time to give thanks for the miracle that is America.

George Washington - Humility by the Greatest Character of the Age

My parents recently gave me a new book from the Smithsonian Institution, "Presidents, All You Need to Know" by Carter Smith.  I began by flipping to the back and re-reading George Washington's First Inaugural Address.  The beginning of his address is almost unimaginable in today's politics.  He essentially stated that he felt he was reluctant to become our first President, he was getting old and was ready for retirement, and was not certain he was ready for the task.  He asked that if he failed to meet their expectations, that the people remember that he took the office because he was called to duty by them and he loved his country.

Humility is a trait that is noticeably lacking in today's discourse.  Yet, here is the greatest character of the age (that was the phrase given to him by his nemesis King George III) publicly expressing self-doubt in his major address as President to the country which he was helped create more than any other.  Washington's public professions should be more carefully examined - and followed - by those who govern today.

Publish Post

America - Last Hope for Justice

"Judging from the main portions of the history of the world, so far, justice is always in jeopardy."  Walt Whitman.


Whitman's observation is true today as it was made generations ago.  In the interim we have faced down the Kaiser, Nazism, Imperial Japan, and the USSR.  Today we are fighting for justice against extreme radical Islamic terrorists whose idea of justice is a one world caliphate, denying women equality, and abolishing all unalienable rights (such as the free exercise of religion, free speech, the right to assemble).


Of course, the fight for justice at home is never complete, but we remain the world's last, best hope for freedom, equality, and justice.  As we confront our challenges - domestic and foreign - we will be best prepared to prevail if we keep our Founding First Principles at the forefront.  Otherwise, justice for us all will vanish into the darkness of history.

Co-founder of Patriot Week says we must refocus on what made our country great - The Oakland Press Opinion: The best place for news in and around Oakland County

Co-founder of Patriot Week says we must refocus on what made our country great - The Oakland Press Opinion: The best place for news in and around Oakland County