President Obama issued the following Thanksgiving Proclaimation:
A beloved American tradition, Thanksgiving Day offers us the opportunity to focus our thoughts on the grace that has been extended to our people and our country. This spirit brought together the newly arrived Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe — who had been living and thriving around Plymouth, Massachusetts for thousands of years — in an autumn harvest feast centuries ago. This Thanksgiving Day, we reflect on the compassion and contributions of Native Americans, whose skill in agriculture helped the early colonists survive, and whose rich culture continues to add to our Nation’s heritage. We also pause our normal pursuits on this day and join in a spirit of fellowship and gratitude for the year’s bounties and blessings.
Thanksgiving Day is a time each year, dating back to our founding, when we lay aside the troubles and disagreements of the day and bow our heads in humble recognition of the providence bestowed upon our Nation. Amidst the uncertainty of a fledgling experiment in democracy, President George Washington declared the first Thanksgiving in America, recounting the blessings of tranquility, union, and plenty that shined upon our young country. In the dark days of the Civil War when the fate of our Union was in doubt, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a Thanksgiving Day, calling for “the Almighty hand” to heal and restore our Nation.
In confronting the challenges of our day, we must draw strength from the resolve of previous generations who faced their own struggles and take comfort in knowing a brighter day has always dawned on our great land. As we stand at the close of one year and look to the promise of the next, we lift up our hearts in gratitude to God for our many blessings, for one another, and for our Nation. This Thanksgiving Day, we remember that the freedoms and security we enjoy as Americans are protected by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. These patriots are willing to lay down their lives in our defense, and they and their families deserve our profound gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
This harvest season, we are also reminded of those experiencing the pangs of hunger or the hardship of economic insecurity. Let us return the kindness and generosity we have seen throughout the year by helping our fellow citizens weather the storms of our day.
As Americans gather for the time-honored Thanksgiving Day meal, let us rejoice in the abundance that graces our tables, in the simple gifts that mark our days, in the loved ones who enrich our lives, and in the gifts of a gracious God. Let us recall that our forebears met their challenges with hope and an unfailing spirit, and let us resolve to do the same.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 25, 2010, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all the people of the United States to come together — whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors — to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share our bounty with others.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
Somehow this proclamation offended Limbaugh. He threw a Rush Fit on his radio show:
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Is there no end to Limbaugh’s nastiness? It seemed like a fine proclamation to me. Do people really follow this clown? Are they groupies or cult members?
Aside from the fact that Obama’s grasp of the first Thanksgiving is overly simplistic, stereotyped and utterly distorted, his message was fairly presidential.
And I do appreciate that he remembered the troops in this address.
I don’t think the Prez intended a history lesson, complete with chalkboard. I strongly suspect his words were intended as an overview.
He did sound presidential.
Rush, on the other hand, sounded like some raving lunatic, especially in his barrage of insults he hurled at Indians in his lame attempt to tomahawk the president.
Rush has made millions over the past two decades hurling insults at Democrats. That’s what he’s all about. People who are already with him are going to applaud his antics regardless of whether they are fair or accurate.
People who are not Rush followers should ignore him.
Everyone needs a little attention sometimes–even our biggest hypocrite. Make that Mr. Family Values.
El Guapo —- and children.
Rush referred to 13 year old Chelsea Clinton as the “white house dog”. Anyone who “follows” him is, in my estimation, a cretin.
During one episode in 1993, Limbaugh mentioned to his viewing audience that the Clintons had a cat, and displayed a photo of the well-known White House cat, “Socks.” Continued Limbaugh, “But did you know they also have a White House dog?”, at which point what came up on the screen was a picture of thirteen-year-old Chelsea Clinton.
Wendy, I have always held those White House dog remarks against Limbaugh. It speaks to a man’s character when he attacks a 13 year old girl, like nothing else does.
I might throw out the same about Beck. He at least apologized to the public but…what makes a person do something like that in the first place? There is a nastiness there or it wouldn’t have happened in the first place.
In all seriousness, does anyone really believe that the Wampanoag Indians had a fall feast? They may have felt sorry for the Pilgirms, but that was about it. While the Wampanoag may have felt sorry for the Pilgrims, it was some big festival. There is even some question that such a thing really happened. Three quarters of a century later, a different group of Indians attacked Deerfield, MA and killed 56 people–no love lost there and no big festival. But the concept of “Thanksgiving” is kinda like “Christmas and Santa Clause”. The Christmas observations have no more to do with the birth of Christ than Santa Claus has to do with presents. The Christmas tree, the Yule log, etc are all pagan ceremonies coopted by the Catholic Church to pacify new converts. Same with Easter and all that other “stuff”.
As to Beck and Limbaugh–if you pay attention to them, then you are simply aiding and abetting them. Buy their books, listen to them, comment on them and they profit. There are those who say you need to “know your enemy”–I say BS–ignore them and when no one listens or buys books or goes to rallies, the bastards will dry up like a raisin. They thrive on controversy–two highschool dunces who are leading a lot of people around by the nose. Is there something wrong with this picture? They have never served their country, they have never made any substantial contribution to the welfare of others, they are pimples on the ass of society.
@George
I very much believe in the ‘know your enemy’ philosophy. Bill Clinton and Obama should have been a little more aware that they were simply targets.
Both Beck and Limbaugh have millions of followers. How will you talk those sheeple into ignoring their cult heroes?
every dollar beck and limbaugh earn is through honest labor and not from the trough of government, i.e. someone else’s labor. they thrive because they provide an opinion that millions of americans agree with, to one degree or another. liberal progressives are unable to suppress their rage at these two guys, despite the overwhelming liberal preponderance in most media, because at the core, modern liberal progressivism is a lie, and these two, along with others, have the gumption to stand up and pronounce “the emperor has no clothes!”
@e
Too funny. How’s is that kool aid? Honest living? Lying to people? Spinning and twisting politics so the ditto heads can go all paranoid?
Too funny. If they went away, what would we have to laugh at?
for twenty years liberal pundits have been nipping at the heels of the master, to no avail. he’s only like the number one radio talk show host in the whole world. why is he hated so? envy for his talent. hatred for how he exposes the democrats’ folly and ineptitude. sheer resentment. ah, like showing dracula the cross, the mere mention of rush’s name strikes terror in the hearts of all statist progressives, because the man represents millions of americans who refuse to go silently into the night, who will stand askance against the onslaught, and say to anyone who tries to take apart my country: I HOPE HE FAILS
Oh Lord, e. At least form your own opinions. Sorry, most thinking Americans just believe Limbaugh is an asshole. At best he is bad comedy.
If Beck and Limbaugh are not assholes, they are living proof that assholes can exist with no other visible means of life support. I agree with you Moon about e and the koolaid–what is the flavor?
I agree you need to knowyour enemy, but buying their books or plunking down your $$ for any of their stuff just adds to their coffers. And if their work is “honest work” as e implies, then maybe more of us ought to get into “honest work”–feeding the baser instincts of the sheeple. All you need is a big muck rake, some good Wellies and an inordinate love of BS along with whatever kind of koolaid it is that e is drinking.