In Review of 2007 and Reasons To Be Thankful
I love Thanksgiving and the holidays because it reminds me to be thankful, thankful of what we have in this country, what we take for granted, and what we should consider for the upcoming year for our future. We have a lot to be thankful for in this country, gratitude, optimism for our future, and a profound appreciation for what we have, needs to be taken into consideration. Food, shelter, clean water and air, an efficient transportation system, jobs, a car, a television, a computer in every home, lack of war with our neighbors, are all things that we take for granted in this country. We have created the world’s greatest empire. How we live and how we have conducted ourselves with 300 million people in 231 years is an accomplishment that is definitely overestimated by the vast majority. Here are some of the things that I can be thankful for in review of 2007:
January
I am thankful that I have seen the first female speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and I will be thankful when she leaves. I am thankful that I am not one of George W. Bush’s 21,500 additional troops heading for Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia where war continues. I am thankful I am not in a market in Baghdad where 88 people are killed by suicide bombings, or in a battle between with insurgents where U.S. troops kill 300 terrorists in Najaf. I am thankful not to be in Najaf.
February
I am thankful that I don’t have to live in a place where truck bombings kill 135 and injure 339 people in a crowded downtown market. I am thankful our friends and family are mostly safe, versus the alternative with Taliban suicide bombers attacking our leaders at Bagram Air Base, while the Vice President visits. 23 people are killed during this visit. I am thankful that we are mostly safe here in California. I do remain vigilant from visitors from far away trying to hurt us. But there is little I can do but be observant. I am thankful that other people are observant and willing to exterminate bad visitors too.
March
I am thankful to explore the solar system, view total lunar eclipses, watch the stars and planets from my backyard without the possibility of a mortar shell visiting my family and I over the fence, and the possibility of visiting these far away places with the help of NASA and our adventurous machines. I am thankful that we have a place where we can participate in Million Dollar jackpots, setting new world records for the highest lottery jackpot of $370 million. Finally, I have to be thankful that our police and sheriff departments protect us from chlorine bomb incidents, which injured hundreds in a far away neighborhood.
April
I am thankful that we live in relatively safe area of California and not on a Solomon Island where a magnitude 8.1 earthquake and tsunami devastated the islands. Although the possibility of a large quake will hit here again, I am confident that here is better than there. I am happy and thankful that I was not on a little speedboat with British sailors and marines as the Iranians capture the little boat under force. Be thankful that the Iranians released the sailors and marines in a political move embarrassing Brittan. I am thankful that they are back home in the United Kingdom safe from bad people. I am thankful I am not in Iran.
April
I am thankful that I didn’t know anyone attending Virginia Tech on April 16th and that no more than 32 people were killed. I am thankful that the killer took his own life saving us from years of court, therapy, and appeal. We should be thankful to live in a country were such abundance occurs, our thriving economy, with a financial system closing above 13,000 for the first time (13089.89 Dow Jones Industrial Average record), and with such abundance around the world as well. I can say that I saw the building (on television) of the tallest structure in the world, erected above the Sears Tower, the Burj Dubai. Humans are truly amazing when a task is set before them, something needs to be accomplished in a quick time frame, or when a disaster occurs and we all come together to help one another.
May
I am thankful for elections that are just and where we can see politicians rise above the fold to become elected without corruption. We can make new friends abroad, like Nicolas Sarkozy, the new elected President of the French Republic, with new ideas proposed from an old society. We can see old friends ride off into the sunset, as Tony Blair resigns from office. And we wonder why humans argue with each other, as we watch from afar and hope our society and government doesn’t beak down with a coalition government, as the Fattah and Hamas groups break down with massive fighting in places like the Gaza. We need to be thankful that our families don’t have to participate in clashes in Tripoli, Lebanon, as the conflict embroils the region. We can ponder our existence as strife occurs across our blue planet, with a calendar blue moon above the Western Hemisphere.
June
I am thankful that justice is swift in our country as four people are charged with a terror plot to blow up JFK International Airport. We can also watch our television heroes retire, as Bob Barker airs his last episode. We ponder celebrity during the summer months as well, but devastation looms in remote mountainous communities as devastating wildfires return to the Sierra. I am thankful that I wasn’t one of the 254 homes in South Lake Tahoe that burned unnecessarily. I am thankful that we can welcome Gordon Brown onto the world stage as he replaces Tony atop a royal kingdom.
July
I am thankful that Hong Kong can celebrate 10 years under the Chinese. I am thankful that I don’t live under communist rule and free to write this little article. I am thankful that in the middle of the summer, the DOW continues to grow above 14,000, a stupendous accomplishment. I am thankful that it isn’t 130 degrees outside and that I live in an air-conditioned house, office and car. I am glad I don’t have to plow with an ox, live in a mud hut with a dirt floor and a waterwheel outside. I am glad I get to shop at the supermarket for food instead of growing it. I am glad and thankful we have supermarkets.
August
I am thankful that my family and I weren’t on the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis. I am thankful we have the technology to send spacecraft to Mars with the successful launch of the Phoenix. I wonder what the north pole of Mars is all about and what we will find there. And I am happy that we don’t have to worry about multiple suicide bombings, which killed 572 people in Qahtaniya, Iraq this month. I am thankful that prominent figures, such as Attorney General Alberto Gonzales have the forthright to do the honorable thing, and resign after scandal and ineffectiveness in positions of power are reveled.
September
I am thankful that humans can surpass previous records, as buildings such as the Burj Dubai, became the world's tallest freestanding structure. Be thankful Hillary, Barack, John, Musharraf, Mahmoud, and Hugo are not in power telling you how to live your lives. With elections coming up, we need to take the time to research the candidates and their prospective issues. Some of these campaigns continue a year and a half before the election. Be thankful we have elections.
October
I am thankful that my family, who lives in southern California, are safe from wildfires, which resulted in the evacuation of more than 1,000,000 people and destroyed over 1,600 homes and businesses. I am thankful that we have agencies that try to protect us, even when conflagrations occur. I would like to thank those individuals that go above and beyond to help the less fortunate as we move from the city environment into the hills. Be thankful we are allowed to live in the hills. Be thankful that there is someone there to help put out fire, help with floods, and places to go when disaster strikes. Would there be agencies in Somalia or Sudan capable to assist in a disastrous fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, or hurricane?
November
I am thankful that we don’t live in a society where we have to declare a state of (political) emergency. We can watch places like Pakistan struggle for democracy as their president prepares for hostilities he created. I am amazed that oil is now 100 dollars a barrel though, and I am thankful I have a short commute. I am thankful I am not commuting far as many people do. I am thankful that I am not in the Philippines with a super typhoon bearing down on me. And finally, I am thankful that I am not enamored with Brittney, Lindsey, Julia, Hannah and celebrity stardom. I am truly amazed that these people get the recognition and attention that they do. Who is Hannah Montana anyway? What will the rest of November bring? I am sure it will be interesting.
I may just go home on Thanksgiving Day and tell my family thank you. I will remind them, as we are stuffing our faces with turkey and pie, that this is a great country: Be thankful that you have an unlimited supply of water, your plants are never thirsty, your dog drinks from a bowl that you don’t flush; Be thankful that you don’t have serious addictions to smoking, drinking, gambling, and drugs; Be thankful for the education system we have, as the alternative is much more grim; Be thankful that you have a decent job, and you can pay your mortgage; Be thankful that you have a roof over your head, and you have belongings to put in it; Be thankful that you can escape that home and take your family on a long trip around the country without the gestapo asking for your papers; Be thankful and appreciate what you have, and don't take your blessings for granted, if you spend part of your life helping others less fortunate; Be thankful you live in this country, with friends, family, and people that care about you; Be thankful that Massasoit took the time to get to know the Pilgrims, sat down with strangers to have a meal and a good conversation, and made new friends. What are you thankful for?
January
I am thankful that I have seen the first female speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and I will be thankful when she leaves. I am thankful that I am not one of George W. Bush’s 21,500 additional troops heading for Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia where war continues. I am thankful I am not in a market in Baghdad where 88 people are killed by suicide bombings, or in a battle between with insurgents where U.S. troops kill 300 terrorists in Najaf. I am thankful not to be in Najaf.
February
I am thankful that I don’t have to live in a place where truck bombings kill 135 and injure 339 people in a crowded downtown market. I am thankful our friends and family are mostly safe, versus the alternative with Taliban suicide bombers attacking our leaders at Bagram Air Base, while the Vice President visits. 23 people are killed during this visit. I am thankful that we are mostly safe here in California. I do remain vigilant from visitors from far away trying to hurt us. But there is little I can do but be observant. I am thankful that other people are observant and willing to exterminate bad visitors too.
March
I am thankful to explore the solar system, view total lunar eclipses, watch the stars and planets from my backyard without the possibility of a mortar shell visiting my family and I over the fence, and the possibility of visiting these far away places with the help of NASA and our adventurous machines. I am thankful that we have a place where we can participate in Million Dollar jackpots, setting new world records for the highest lottery jackpot of $370 million. Finally, I have to be thankful that our police and sheriff departments protect us from chlorine bomb incidents, which injured hundreds in a far away neighborhood.
April
I am thankful that we live in relatively safe area of California and not on a Solomon Island where a magnitude 8.1 earthquake and tsunami devastated the islands. Although the possibility of a large quake will hit here again, I am confident that here is better than there. I am happy and thankful that I was not on a little speedboat with British sailors and marines as the Iranians capture the little boat under force. Be thankful that the Iranians released the sailors and marines in a political move embarrassing Brittan. I am thankful that they are back home in the United Kingdom safe from bad people. I am thankful I am not in Iran.
April
I am thankful that I didn’t know anyone attending Virginia Tech on April 16th and that no more than 32 people were killed. I am thankful that the killer took his own life saving us from years of court, therapy, and appeal. We should be thankful to live in a country were such abundance occurs, our thriving economy, with a financial system closing above 13,000 for the first time (13089.89 Dow Jones Industrial Average record), and with such abundance around the world as well. I can say that I saw the building (on television) of the tallest structure in the world, erected above the Sears Tower, the Burj Dubai. Humans are truly amazing when a task is set before them, something needs to be accomplished in a quick time frame, or when a disaster occurs and we all come together to help one another.
May
I am thankful for elections that are just and where we can see politicians rise above the fold to become elected without corruption. We can make new friends abroad, like Nicolas Sarkozy, the new elected President of the French Republic, with new ideas proposed from an old society. We can see old friends ride off into the sunset, as Tony Blair resigns from office. And we wonder why humans argue with each other, as we watch from afar and hope our society and government doesn’t beak down with a coalition government, as the Fattah and Hamas groups break down with massive fighting in places like the Gaza. We need to be thankful that our families don’t have to participate in clashes in Tripoli, Lebanon, as the conflict embroils the region. We can ponder our existence as strife occurs across our blue planet, with a calendar blue moon above the Western Hemisphere.
June
I am thankful that justice is swift in our country as four people are charged with a terror plot to blow up JFK International Airport. We can also watch our television heroes retire, as Bob Barker airs his last episode. We ponder celebrity during the summer months as well, but devastation looms in remote mountainous communities as devastating wildfires return to the Sierra. I am thankful that I wasn’t one of the 254 homes in South Lake Tahoe that burned unnecessarily. I am thankful that we can welcome Gordon Brown onto the world stage as he replaces Tony atop a royal kingdom.
July
I am thankful that Hong Kong can celebrate 10 years under the Chinese. I am thankful that I don’t live under communist rule and free to write this little article. I am thankful that in the middle of the summer, the DOW continues to grow above 14,000, a stupendous accomplishment. I am thankful that it isn’t 130 degrees outside and that I live in an air-conditioned house, office and car. I am glad I don’t have to plow with an ox, live in a mud hut with a dirt floor and a waterwheel outside. I am glad I get to shop at the supermarket for food instead of growing it. I am glad and thankful we have supermarkets.
August
I am thankful that my family and I weren’t on the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis. I am thankful we have the technology to send spacecraft to Mars with the successful launch of the Phoenix. I wonder what the north pole of Mars is all about and what we will find there. And I am happy that we don’t have to worry about multiple suicide bombings, which killed 572 people in Qahtaniya, Iraq this month. I am thankful that prominent figures, such as Attorney General Alberto Gonzales have the forthright to do the honorable thing, and resign after scandal and ineffectiveness in positions of power are reveled.
September
I am thankful that humans can surpass previous records, as buildings such as the Burj Dubai, became the world's tallest freestanding structure. Be thankful Hillary, Barack, John, Musharraf, Mahmoud, and Hugo are not in power telling you how to live your lives. With elections coming up, we need to take the time to research the candidates and their prospective issues. Some of these campaigns continue a year and a half before the election. Be thankful we have elections.
October
I am thankful that my family, who lives in southern California, are safe from wildfires, which resulted in the evacuation of more than 1,000,000 people and destroyed over 1,600 homes and businesses. I am thankful that we have agencies that try to protect us, even when conflagrations occur. I would like to thank those individuals that go above and beyond to help the less fortunate as we move from the city environment into the hills. Be thankful we are allowed to live in the hills. Be thankful that there is someone there to help put out fire, help with floods, and places to go when disaster strikes. Would there be agencies in Somalia or Sudan capable to assist in a disastrous fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, or hurricane?
November
I am thankful that we don’t live in a society where we have to declare a state of (political) emergency. We can watch places like Pakistan struggle for democracy as their president prepares for hostilities he created. I am amazed that oil is now 100 dollars a barrel though, and I am thankful I have a short commute. I am thankful I am not commuting far as many people do. I am thankful that I am not in the Philippines with a super typhoon bearing down on me. And finally, I am thankful that I am not enamored with Brittney, Lindsey, Julia, Hannah and celebrity stardom. I am truly amazed that these people get the recognition and attention that they do. Who is Hannah Montana anyway? What will the rest of November bring? I am sure it will be interesting.
I may just go home on Thanksgiving Day and tell my family thank you. I will remind them, as we are stuffing our faces with turkey and pie, that this is a great country: Be thankful that you have an unlimited supply of water, your plants are never thirsty, your dog drinks from a bowl that you don’t flush; Be thankful that you don’t have serious addictions to smoking, drinking, gambling, and drugs; Be thankful for the education system we have, as the alternative is much more grim; Be thankful that you have a decent job, and you can pay your mortgage; Be thankful that you have a roof over your head, and you have belongings to put in it; Be thankful that you can escape that home and take your family on a long trip around the country without the gestapo asking for your papers; Be thankful and appreciate what you have, and don't take your blessings for granted, if you spend part of your life helping others less fortunate; Be thankful you live in this country, with friends, family, and people that care about you; Be thankful that Massasoit took the time to get to know the Pilgrims, sat down with strangers to have a meal and a good conversation, and made new friends. What are you thankful for?
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