Happy Thanksgiving

The following is the Thanksgiving Declaration of the first president of the United States, George Washington.


Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor -- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be -- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks -- for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation -- for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquility [sic], union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed -- for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted -- for 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 upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions -- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually -- to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed -- to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn [sic] kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord -- To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease [sic] of science among them and us -- and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York
the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

George Washington

Reports of my death were...

...slightly exaggerated. No, I am not sick, nor am I dying. I am just coasting in the realm of existence right now. Maybe after the first of the year I will start living again. But for now, just an observation.

Yesterday, Notre Dame lost in (American) football to Air Force. After the game, the whole Notre Dame team went over to the Air Force fans and stood behind the Air Force team as they sang their school song. Air Force then returned the favor when Notre Dame went back to their students' seating section to sing the alma mater. This happened after the Navy loss also. Notre Dame always sings the alma mater after their games, but their sign of respect for the service academies was nice to see. The commentators kept remarking about the respect and sportsmanship they viewed in these game. That's great. But when they said that it would be nice to see more of it, I had to question how genuine they were. They call for sportsmanship, but promote every game as a death match between hated enemies. They exploit grudges between players and/or teams. And if there isn't one, then they create them. I remember last year's Super Bowl. The media kept trying to get Tony Dungie or Lovie Smith to trash talk the other's team and when wouldn't do it, the media kept digging and "implying" that there were problems somewhere between someone. Plus, when you watch the highlight reel on the news later, what do you see? Do you see the Notre Dame player helping a Air Force player to his feet after a hit, or do you see the in your face, cocky dancing, trash talking players of the day? Almost always it is the later. So tell me, which type of attitude are they promoting? The one they claim they wish there was more of, or the one they bemoan while repeatedly replaying and promoting?

Kind of like the recent comments of a national reporter who said that since there was only good news coming out of Iraq, that meant there is not news to report there. Good news in Iraq, like good sportsmanship and respect in sports, is there to be reported, but the media choose to not report it, thus placing an agenda (political, ratings, economic, etc.) over the truth, which influences people for better or for worse.

On a side note, I would like to thank all the veterans out there that sacrificed for the freedoms that we enjoy in this country, like blogging whatever we thing. Thank you ladies and gentlemen of the armed forces, past and present.