Have a Happy, Healthy and Blessed Thanksgiving everyone!!

Thanks JoAnn, I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving too.  I would also like to wish all the posters I have gotten to know on this board a Happy Thanksgiving.  Despite all our complaining and discussions, we have so much to be thankful for.  I won't bother with the list since I'm sure you all have your own.  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!!

Have a happy one to all of us 'cyber folks'. And let us be thankful for FREE SPEECH!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to All.  Please keep our servicemen and servicewomen in your thoughts this Thanksgiving.  It is because of their service and their sacrifices that we are able to enjoy the freedoms with which we are blessed.

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Thanksgiving -- A Violation of Church and State?


by Chuck Norris
Posted 11/25/2008 ET
Updated 11/25/2008 ET

Is the government's observance of Thanksgiving a violation of the separation of church and state?

This past week, a Newsweek/Washington Post editorial labeled presidential Thanksgiving Day proclamations as "cracks in the wall of separation." The author explained, "The problem with these proclamations, it seems to me, is that they pave the way for public acceptance of gross violations of the constitutional separation of church and state." What?!

Forget for a moment that nearly every president since George Washington (and the Continental Congress before him) has given Judeo-Christian proclamations for Thanksgiving (except between 1816 and 1861) and also has declared other national days of fasting and prayer. Secularists, such as the author of the editorial, get almost giddy every time they highlight that Thomas Jefferson rejected the notion of proclaiming Thanksgiving spirituals and prayers. But the truth is Jefferson was far from the modern-day secularist they make him out to be.

Sure, Jefferson was adamant (as we all should be) that there should be no federal subscription to any one form of religious sectarianism. That is largely what the First Amendment is all about -- establishing the free exercise of religion and restricting sectarian supremacy in government, as well as government intrusion in churches.

But secularists make two grave mistakes when it comes to Jefferson and the First Amendment. First, they misconstrue his understanding of separation. Second, they overlook how Jefferson himself endorsed and intermingled religion and politics, even during his two terms as president. Let me explain, as I believe it is a timely reminder, given that we are experiencing a new round of battles in our Christmas culture war, too.

The phrase "separation of church and state" actually comes from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1802 to the Danbury Baptists. He told them that no particular Christian denomination was going to have a monopoly in government. His words, "a wall of separation between Church & State," were not written to remove all religious practice from government or civic settings, but to prohibit the domination and even legislation of religious sectarianism.

Proof that Jefferson was not trying to rid government of religious (specifically Christian) influence comes from the fact that he endorsed the use of government buildings for church meetings and services, signed a treaty with the Kaskaskia Indians that allotted federal money to support the building of a Catholic church and to pay the salaries of the church's priests, and repeatedly renewed legislation that gave land to the United Brethren to help their missionary activities among the American Indians.

Some might be completely surprised to discover that just two days after Jefferson wrote his famous letter citing the "wall of separation between Church & State," he attended church in the place where he always had as president: the U.S. Capitol. The very seat of our nation's government was used for sacred purposes. As the Library of Congress' Web site notes, "It is no exaggeration to say that on Sundays in Washington during the administrations of Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809) and of James Madison (1809-1817) the state became the church." Does that sound like someone who was trying to create an impenetrable wall of separation between church and state?

Let's face the present Thanksgiving facts. President Bush likely will give the last explicit Judeo-Christian Thanksgiving proclamation that Americans will hear for the next four to eight years, as President-elect Obama likely will coddle a form of godliness in his Thanksgiving addresses (if he indeed gives them) that appeases the masses with a deity that fits every politically correct dress.

But I'm an optimist. And because so much attention is being given right now by the media and the president-elect himself regarding his parallels to and lessons learned from President Abraham Lincoln, I recommend Obama heed Lincoln's Thanksgiving wisdom. Don't mince or water down the God of the Pilgrims, as is being done in public schools across this land through the retelling of the first Thanksgiving.

Obama doesn't even need a speechwriter for Thanksgiving 2009. He simply can recite Lincoln's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, in which Lincoln thanked the Almighty for America's bountiful blessings and providential care despite enduring a war and grave economic hardships. The content seems divinely timed for even such a wintry season as our own:
........................................http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=29639

The last paragraph in the referenced link is most notable and strong enough that I include it here

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Whatever your religious persuasion, don't hesitate this Thanksgiving to bow your head, give thanks to God, and follow Lincoln's advice. And when you do, don't forget to say a prayer for our troops and their families. While they serve us so we can serve our Thanksgiving feasts safely, the least we can do is serve them a little honor and remembrance.

Thank you for sharing this JoAnn

Once again, another memorable holiday. I spent the afternoon at the VA in Albany where my grandfather passed away shortly before 2pm today. It was an honor to see all his fellow soldiers come, one by one, to pay their respects.

I'm so sorry for you loss. I remember years ago when my grandfather died, they had his burial right on Thanksgiving day. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I'm sorry for you loss MT, our prayers go out to you and your family.

Thanks folks.  I've had enough of death and dying this year - what say we all get together for a big pre-new years eve party soon? I need to get snookered.

I'm so sorry MT, you've had a tough year.  I'll offer to be designated driver for you at the snooker fest.