At this point, I do not know which presidential candidate will ultimately win the brass ring on both sides of the political aisle, nor do I have any say since it was my choice to become an independent affiliated with no political party. However, I am thankful for the fact someone other than Bush will be in charge. Oh please let that person be a far greater leader than what we have now.
In logging on most days, I see the headlines on my Yahoo web page, “Bush: Demands…” or “Bush: States….” Or any number of news articles dealing with his administration. I am thankful for the fact that in one year’s time, I will see a title president-elect attached to someone new. Quite frankly, I am tired of seeing the Bush name. As I watch the news, I am thankful that someday in the near future, he will be gone from our everyday news. If my TV could speak, it too would be thankful knowing I do not wish to throw anything at it. You see, I want someone that can speak to all Americans without mangling the English language and speak intelligently in representing the American people overseas.
Bush aside; I am thankful to you who take the time to read my articles. Even to those who disagree adamantly you still have an affect on my thinking. Hey, you may even steer me in a new line of thinking and thinking is good. Thinking means one is alive and on this day, many tables have a void since it means a soldier who has served this country is no longer with their loved ones. We must all remember those military families across this nation since many suffer in silence. Whatever our views on this war are, we should be thankful for those who chose to serve.
I am thankful for the bed I sleep in, the food that I eat and the clothes on my back because I realize that so many Americans have lost that or are in danger of losing what is most precious to them and that is their homes.
I am most thankful that should I need a doctor, I do have the insurance to head to my doctor for healing. It reminds me that 47 million do not have that option as they weigh in their minds if they can heal themselves. Being Epileptic, I must be monitored and wonder how other Epileptics survive daily without insurance. The fear of not knowing whether or not one will have a seizure is complete terror.
As I watched in horror the firestorms that ravaged California recently, I am thankful to the thousands upon thousands of firefighters from coast-to-coast that keep us safe. Many of these firefighters are volunteers and they are to be heralded as our heroes. They did not have to do so, but they chose to do so. As they leave their homes to battle these blazes it may be the last time they see their family members.
As crimes are reported everyday within the news, I am thankful to our police officers who put their lives on the line and face dangers of the unknown. Or they could simply be helping someone who does not know where to turn. For ten years now, I have been an advocate for children’s safety when it comes to pedophilia and I am thankful to all law enforcement that go up against these monsters in our midst who seek to hurt these children. Often they face the horrors that no one should have to go through. Also as they leave their homes, it may be the last time they too see their family members.
In fact, I am thankful to all law enforcement and that means the FBI who keeps us safe. They too face the unknown and whatever your political philosophies are; these men and women chose to serve in this capacity.
While I do not wish to at this time to get into foreign policy, I am thankful for the intelligence agents around this globe that are doing a job to help keep all of us safe. Some do so undercover and the dangers they face is something I cannot even conceptualize.
When someone is arrested, they are read their Miranda warnings and I am thankful to those public defenders that defend those who do not have the money to launch an adequate defense. It may not be top-notch, but at least they have a legal advocate on their side.
I am thankful to the prosecutors who help put criminals away and help protect our society. Again, I do not wish to get into political philosophies, but many of these prosecutors are good people. They could have chosen to represent the rich and the powerful, but they chose to protect all of us.
Prisons as it has been reported are busting at the seams with over two million inmates serving either short or long sentences and I am thankful to the corrections officers who monitor them everyday. Some of these inmates have committed crimes that are so heinous in nature such as pedophilia. Being in the midst of this evil on a daily basis is something you and I cannot comprehend.
I am most thankful to courageous people who speak out on behalf of those who are so powerless within our society. They took on a job so few are willing to do. I would name names, but there are literally too many to list here.
I am also thankful for those who choose to push the envelope and go up against some of the most powerful people within our government. They heard a calling and answered it. Again, I would name specific people, but there are too many to list here.
I am thankful for the numerous volunteers around this country who man the food pantries that have become so baron over these past seven years. While tomorrow some of us will be with family and friends, these volunteers will be serving meals to those without homes and without hope. For a brief moment in time, those in need of these services will feel welcomed at someone’s table and will see someone smile back at them when they are often ignored. After tomorrow it is back to either living in a car and some do have children or living on a steam grate. Some are even heroes that have served this country and we must do better by them.
To all of my readers, I want to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. I have read emails coming from so many of you over the years and some have brought me to tears. I wish there was a way of helping each and every one of you out. I have tried to be your voice throughout these past seven years. Some who still suffer from Katrina have taken time during this past year to reach out to me and hopefully, I have elevated your voices. All of you have taught me to be thankful for everything that I do have and not to take anything for granted.
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