Thanksgiving

So, do we have anything to be thankful for this year? Well, yes, there are a few things:

1. The Democratic Party. It achieved victory in the November election issuing a clear statement that the majority of Americans do not approve of the way their government is being run. While the champagne corks are still popping, it is important to recognize that the real battles will come in January when the new Congress sits. Will there be substantial change? Or, will Bush fight tooth and nail (using the veto and the filibuster) to impeded the will of the majority. It is more likely every day, given his rhetoric, that he will precipitate a constitutional crisis over the power of the so-called unitary presidency. At least it will distract him from killing people and put the lie to all his high blown talk of establishing democracy in other countries.

2. Children. As I become older, they become the only thing worth living for. They are always "up" unless they are sick. They develop at an astounding rate and they can always be counted on to say something off the wall. They also are very observant, even though we think they are oblivious. If they are nurtured, they usually turn out good. If they are not, it is a sadness that is hard to bear.

3. Family. It is worth while remembering that everyone has family. The Shiite and the Sunni; the Palestinian and the Israeli; those in Nepal and Darfur, Norway and South Africa; Eskimo and Aborigine. How we forget.