This I believe...

(with apologies to NPR)

I believe that Thanksgiving is a time to 

affirm our core beliefs...

We, as Americans, have so much to be grateful for....

life...

liberty...

the pursuit of happiness....

all men created equal....

(someday, maybe, even women)

peace on our shores.....

and 

most 

importantly,

freedom

what a bold word....

such an "in your face assertion"...

WE

HAVE 

FREEDOM!

We are free to....

bitch

complain

cheer for our team

be lazy

cry

laugh

sob

groan

mock

protest

support

choose indifference

create

explore

think independently

show loyalty, or not

work

play

grow, or not

love, or not

wallow in misery,

offend

mend

bend

end

Yes,

we are a funny lot...

filled with angst

courage

fear

patriotism

We boldly go where no man has gone before....

We root root root for the underdog...

We hate injustice

We balk at orders

We resist categorization

We are similar

We are diverse

We love

We hate

We understand each other

We shun each other

We support others who seek freedom

We are Americans

We are so very fortunate to have this land 

at this time

Great potential have we...

if only we will look beyond our differences.

Please

today 

while you feast

look beyond your differences

seek common ground

be grateful

to 

be 

Americans

smiles...