I’m a bit late, sorry, but Happy Thanksgiving – may all your positive thoughts surround you.

John C.

Okay, I get your not-so-subtle message and I'm not at all surprised at your responses to my post. For the record, I have no problem with the concept of Thanksgiving or the holiday itself (in fact, I applaud it). To be perfectly honest, it was the mention of the DATE (1619) that triggered a response in me. 1619 is a date that is embedded in the brains of most African-Americans (that attended schools where history was accurately taught). When that DATE is mentioned in the Black community, Thanksgiving is not the first thing that comes to mind. As much as we may want to ignore or block out this blight on our nation's history, it IS important and significant to a large portion of our fellow AMERICAN citizens, as it should be. So, snide comments and supportive emoticons aside, I, like most of my fellow African-Americans, celebrate this holiday like everyone else, with over-eating, over-drinking, family arguments, and car accidents, while preparing for that even bigger holiday, BLACK FRIDAY. BestBuy, here I come. Happy Thanksgiving.

chas

I hope everyone’s Thanksgiving was great. Mine was kind of a bust!

Chas everyone has their opinion -- I welcome yours. It would be a bore if everyone thought like me.

I’m busy enjoying life and my wife; full time job; but oh so rewarding.
Good health to everyone, John C.

And good health to you, John. Tony started this thread with the best of intentions and I'm sorry that I allowed the mention of that DATE to trigger a 'negative' response. I had hoped to explain why. Obviously, no one cared why. We (Americans) have a history of avoiding some of the more unpleasant parts of our past, and I suppose that's understandable. But in the words of Churchill, "those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it". The ever-widening divisions that are so evident in this country at this time should be a clear warning for us to heed those words. If we truly believe in the spirit of THANKSGIVING, then we should be working full time to help bridge these divides. When that happens, I'll happily celebrate Thanksgiving 365 days a year.

Again, let me be perfectly clear; this was in NO WAY a snipe at Guitpic1, whose mention of the PBS (which I'm a fan of) special was purely innocent, I'm sure. Have a good day, folks.

chas

For once you're dead wrong, Chas. I read what you posted with much empathy and anxiety for the future, given the current political climate.

I also read and appreciate Don's response. Native Americans had it pretty rough...still do in multiple locations around the US.

We can't change history, but neither should we ignore t.

Russ

If I'm wrong then I sincerely apologize. For the record, my maternal Grandmother, whom I loved dearly and was the sweetest person I've ever known, was 100% Native American.

chas

Chas, I was indicating 100% support for you, and an acknowledgement of the shameful teatment of some of the major native American tribes at the same time.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. If I think you're off track, I'll certainly tell you.

That, absolutely was not the case here.

You are to be commended for keeping the past in proper perspective.

Russ

Actually, there were no native, North American tribes - they were migrants who crossed the land bridge that is now submerged beneath the Bearing Straits. Much of their DNA, according to all the history books I have read, is Northern Chinese and Mongolian.

And, from what I recall, Spanish explorers brought the first African slaves to the US in 1526, which had nothing to do with tobacco crops or any other crop at the time. It wasn't until 1841 when Massachusetts legalized slavery, and they were the first colony to do so - not Virginia.

My Thanksgiving Day was wonderful, my adult children arrived on time, my daughter and her roommate did all the cooking, but before dinner, we had a variety of Sushi, my son brought several bottles of great tasting wine, we sat on the deck and watched the wildlife pass by, which this time of year, consisted of American eagles, whitetail deer, wile turkeys, a pair of red foxes, and the usual assortment of small birds and squirrels.

Today, I drove up US Route 1 to the marina to finish winterizing the boat. The weather is mild, temperature in the upper 50s, but the traffic was a nightmare. I guess a lot of families are either shopping the extended Black Friday shopping days, or just heading home and trying to get a jump on the normal Sunday traffic jams after a weekend holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone,

Gary

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you Americans! Here in Canada, we celebrated it on October 9th. My condolences to the delicious turkeys!