Daniel J. Summers » Charter Member of the VRWC

Happy Thanksgiving to all who may pass this way.

Over at Taxes, Stupidity, and Death, there’s a post today called “Have Another Helping of Idiotic with That Turkey?” It’s a very good dissection of a Thanksgiving editorial, summed up by this quote.

Nearly everything Americans have to be thankful for has hurt someone else along the way.

This person clearly has Thanksgiving mixed up.  Thanksgiving was (and is) a day to thank God for His providence, provision, and protection.  Every one of us is alive and breathing in the freest country on the planet.  Every one of us has probably eaten better today than a lot of families eat in a week.  Every one of us are in a climate-controlled environment, and will likely sleep on a soft bed (until we get up before the sun to go snag those door-buster specials).

I know some of the things this person was talking about.  Some of them were true, some were not, but yes, we as a nation have made some mistakes.  Today, though, is not the day for a history lesson.  “Oh, you’re happy?  Let me see if I can change it.”  It’s arrogant, condescending, and completely in bad taste.  This guy reminds me of “Debbie Downer” from Saturday Night Live.  In fact, there was actually a Debbie Downer skit about Thanksgiving.

My favorite exchange…

Horatio Sanz: Any of you think that the Pilgrims brought a bottle of Pinot Grigio to the first Thanksgiving?

Debbie Downer: I’ll tell you what the Pilgrims did bring - smallpox.

American success does not equal others’ failures.  America’s formula for success is available to any nation to try - freedom, with the realization that everything is either directly from God or allowed by God. Not everything in life is enjoyable, or even good - that’s the nature of life. I, for one, am not going to let this “Debbie Downer” ruin my Thanksgiving. In fact, I truly feel sorry for someone for whom this sort of thing is what comes to mind when a holiday rolls around.

This video floored me. I now understand the results of this past election. This is a series of interviews with people who voted for Obama. Most all of them thought that the Republicans were in charge of Congress leading up to the last election (it was the Democrats), they didn’t know which candidate said there were 57 states (most said Palin, but that was Obama) or which candidate said that Obama would be tested in the first six months (most were split between Palin and McCain, but that was Biden). Conversely, every one of them knew which candidate received $150k of clothing from their party (Palin), and nearly all of them said that Palin claimed she could see Russia from her house (that was an SNL parody).

My favorite person in this video is the lady with glasses in the purple sweater. I think she’s a future Republican. Anyway, without further ado, here’s the video - it’s around 10 minutes long (and worth every one).

Now, before you claim that these people cherry-picked the interviews, they also had Zogby conduct a poll, and the results were the same. At the link, you can see the summary, and download a PDF with the full results.

Hat Tip: Cassy Fiano

I haven’t been this disgusted with my fellow Americans in 16 years.

For those of you who voted McCain / Palin, congratulations on seeing through the empty platitudes while not overlooking the past of our now President-elect.

PUMAs?  Where were you?  I’m gonna call you PUMAMAs.  You gave up on your principles just so your party would be in power.  Luckily, Sarah Palin came and saved your bacon; otherwise, you’d have set womens’ achievements back nearly a decade.

To blacks who voted for Obama just because he’s black - fine, you’ve had your achievement.  Next time, let’s drop the identity politics and pay attention to policies, okay?  Why you, as a voting bloc, continue to blindly support candidates who placate you during the campaign then keep you suppressed the rest of the time, is beyond me.  A sinking tide brings down all ships.

To the media - thanks for nothing.  Your objectivity, long in question, is now completely gone.  You should hope along with those in talk radio that the Fairness Doctrine is not resurrected, as you’re now in jeopardy of falling as far to the left as Rush Limbaugh is on the right.

I’m praying that, for the next four years and two months, each one of the nine Supreme Court justices enjoy the best health of their lives.

And, to my fellow Americans who voted for Obama - I truly hope you get the change you deserve.