MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy

So what are you thankful for

• Posted by Chris on November 27th, 2008 filed in General    

I know, it’s kind of corny, but hey, what are you thankful for this year? I’ll start:

I’m thankful for my wife and kids. Things have been a bit rough of late, but I’m sure it will get better soon. Probably when the oldest leaves home (again). We love him dearly but we can’t miss him till he’s gone! Seriously, I have many happy memories and hope to make many more. Life would be a whole lot less exciting without them so here’s to ya wife, sons and daughter. I don’t say it enough, I love you.

I’m thankful for my family. As shocking as it is to believe, my wife and I are the most mentally stable people in our respective families. People who know me will tell you that is just sad. But hey, it’s true. Still, as I sat at the table and laughed with my mom, brothers and my sister it did bring back some fun memories. As I sat in the stands a week and a half ago cheering the Lions with my son (well, he was cheering the Panthers), it was fun and brought back great memories of my dad who passed 12 years ago. So yeah, I’m thankful for them even though they may drive me crazy at times.

I’m thankful that the good Lord for some reason that I will never be able to figure out has never abandoned me. As I look back on decisions I made I can see a swift kick here and there. Most kids knew what college they were going to when they graduated high school. Not me. Come graduation day, I was still slinging hash at McDonald’s and had no idea about college. My church has a college in Lamoni Iowa called Graceland University. Every year they held a sports challenge and I went my senior year. While walking around, I happened into the admissions building and said, well, while I’m here, I may as well enroll. 4 and a half years later, I started on a career in computers that has never let me down. Thanks Lord. I may not show it, but I do appreciate it.

I’m thankful that the good Lord gave me a functioning brain and body. Yeah, yeah, I know. You couldn’t tell the brain was working based on my writing. Seriously though. My son Brian has a real gift working with the mentally challenged. He has special needs kids at the YMCA who will only get into the pool with him. I’ve watched him and as proud of him as I am, I watch the kids he works with and I just feel terrible for them and their families. I couldn’t imagine what they are going through or going through what those kids do. I am glad I don’t have to. I would like to think I could, but in my heart, I know I’m not that strong. So thanks again God.

I’m thankful for my friends. Like Mike who comments here every so often whom I met in college. Try as he may he hasn’t been able to get rid of me since! You’re the best!

I am thankful for being an American. We have it so much better than other places and we take it for granted. Good grief, our poor people have 2 tv’s and cell phones. Other countries poor decide which kids to feed and which to let starve. Actually, our poor have it better than Europe’s middle class. When the world needs help, we’re the first there. When a neighbor needs help, our communities are there. We are the most giving nation on the Earth and that is a function of our freedom and the mindset of our great nation.

Thank you men and women of our Armed services for your service to our country! We are thankful for you even if we seem to be distracted by the latest “American Idol” sensation.

Believe it or not, I am thankful for Barack Obama. Seriously. Not because I like him. I don’t. Not because I think he’ll do ok. He won’t. But because Barack Obama is a symbol that if you work at it and if you make the effort there is NOTHING realistic that you can’t accomplish in this country. A man born in Kenya Hawaii America to a poor mom who slugged it out for her son. Goes to an Ivy League school. Becomes a Senator and then a President. We’ve had sons of Greek immigrants and sons of dirt poor factory workers run and come close. We have had fathers and sons become president. It’s unbelievable but true because it’s America.

Again, I am thankful for Barack Obama for one other reason. That in this country, if we don’t like someone that we’ve elected, we get another shot at them in 2,4 or 6 years depending on the office. If Obama bombs and is Carter 2, we can muster our side and get rid of him just like they did to us this election. The peaceful transfer of power is a beautiful thing. Just look at Russia, Pakistan or Kenya to see what it could be like. Obama shows that we can change direction in this country unlike a lot of the other countries in the world.

I am also thankful for W Bush. He had a heck of a lot dumped on him his first 2 years and I think he did pretty well with what he had happen. Has he made mistakes? Yes. Were some of them self inflicted doozies? Yep. He inherited a slumping economy and a tanking stock market and in the first 8 months was saddled with 9-11. That is a whole bunch of hurt and I think he handled it better than most would have.

I’m thankful that our blog hostess needed an American Idol writer last season. It’s been a fun 10 months and she hasn’t fired me yet! Can you believe it? She is very forgiving! I’ve been getting that writing itch back again. I have started too many books and not been motivated. Somehow, doing this for the last 8 months has jarred that part of my brain back on. Hopefully I’ll get something finished this time. So a big thank you Beth. I appreciate your trust in me!

Finally, I am thankful for our readers both on our side and in the loyal opposition like Talmadge East. Y’all keep us straight. You don’t have to come by but you do anyway. Thanks for reading.

Oh, one more. I’m thankful that there are writers like this. This is the funniest commercial that I have seen this Christmas so far:

And this scene from the best movie of the year. What a world!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!