It is very easy to get caught up in the travesties of justice, mocking of our nation and insults to her people emanating from our own centers of government and the leaders within. It would not take long consideration to find many reasons for which we could ask the question, “what the heck do we have to be thankful for?”
It also takes very little time to answer that question. Most of all, I am thankful that I have the opportunities and freedoms present simply because I live in America – the greatest nation on Earth.
I am eternally grateful to have a wonderful, loving and supportive wife and family. Without whom all things would be much more difficult and of much less consequence.
I am incredibly thankful for the wealth of talent that has coalesced around the cause of freedom to bring CDNews to where it is today and the fantastic possibilities presented for its continued success. The leadership team of Michelle Ray, Cindi Appleberry and A.F. Branco make CDN possible. Kira Davis, AiPolitics, Nicole Pearce are the staff members that help get it done. The 40+ contributors that think about, investigate and opine on CDN are the foundation. Without each and every one of them – CDN would still be a lonely personal blog with a few hundred visits a day (you can see them all HERE).
I am, without reservation, thankful for you – our readers, twitter followers, facebook fans, and google+ encircled people (really google.. circles?). You challenge us with your replies, comments and those sometimes #headdesk-causing letters to the editor. I value even those I disagree with in the hopes of beneficial discussion and debate.
Please accept a humble Thank You from all of the staff, contributors and myself. We wish you and your families a warm, festive, family-filled Thanksgiving day.
In closing, Michelle reminded me of the proclamation that gave us this day of thanks. I find it a great proof of the foundation from which all great things in this nation have come from.
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
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 course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, 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 kindness unto 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 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.
Go: Washington
