Though it is still officially autumn, the arrival of November for me has always meant the start of winter. Thus, November has little to offer with this exception – Thanksgiving.
Popular Pilgrim mythology notwithstanding, our first true thanksgiving most likely took place in the year 1676 at Charlestown, Mass. The community’s governing council unanimously voted to declare June 29th as a day of thanksgiving to God.
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” ~ Ronald Reagan
I thought of Ronald Reagan’s warning as I watched allegedly smart young college students demonstrate in support of the terrorist organization Hamas as swell as the equally evil Hezbollah.
I cannot imagine American students demonstrating in support of Nazi Germany when Hitler’s military machine rolled through Poland, or Netherlands, or Belgium, or France.
Americans always have had a special interest in “firsts,” including firsts related to the president of the United States.Beginning with our first president, George Washington was the first to deliver what is now called the State of the Union address. Also, he was the first to issue a pardon, a veto and an executive order.Who was the first sitting president to ride in an automobile? That would be William McKinley.
“When in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.”
So begins the Declaration of Independence, our most sacred and revered national document.
“The government was set to protect man from criminals, and the Constitution was written to protect man from the government.” ~ Ayn RandFrom the founding of this republic, the United States has been a bold experiment as a nation of laws enacted by the representatives of her citizens.“A nation that will not enforce its laws has no claim to the respect and allegiance of its people.” ~ Ambrose BierceThis new century has seen both – a growing disregard for law and a decline in patriotism. Places like Chicago, San Francisco, Portland, Los Angeles, and New York are witnessing growing lawlessness. There are prosecutors have refused to prosecute criminals. Illinois has abolished cash bail which often is labeled “catch and release.” Police morale has declined. In fact, it has become increasingly difficult to find men and women who want to be officers of the law. This is what happens when police no longer believe government has their collective backs.
“Never spend your money before you have it.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
It was good advice in Jefferson’s time. It is still good advice. Sadly, Jefferson often ignored his own advice, leading to no end of problems for him.
My father and grandfather put it another way: There is no such thing as good debt. All debt is bad. It may be necessary at times, but it is still bad. If you must incur debt, first know how you you will repay it.
Perhaps you recall a character by the name of Reddy Kilowatt.
Now Reddy sure wasn’t your average company spokesman. No, siree! After all, this fellow has lightning bolts for a body, a light bulb for a nose and electrical outlets in the place of ears.
Reddy Kilowatt achieved fame throughout downstate Illinois after Central Illinois Public Service Company (CIPS) hired Reddy as their spokesman back in the late 1930s.
Reddy’s story begins down south with Ashton B. Collins, Sr. Born in 1885 in New Orleans, Collins seemed to find his calling when he joined the Southern Railway. He began as a ticket clerk, but quickly rose through the ranks. He even was hailed as one of New Orleans’ “foremost” railroad men.
As I drove to my Springfield office, I thought this would be a perfect late summer day. The sun glowed brightly in a clear sky. The weather was mild. Alas, I had plenty of work awaiting me.
After I crossed Veterans Parkway, the radio carried a concerning report. A plane had crashed into 1 World Trade Center (north tower). However, the DJ said it likely was a small private aircraft.
Then within a few blocks of my destination, the AmerenCIPS Illinois Building, I heard the grim news. An airliner had struck the building.
Retail theft is an enormous American problem. Once the province of lone shoplifters, today thefts increasingly are being committed by both gangs and brazen individuals.
As the calendar turned to 1939, the nation was still struggling to put the Great Depression behind it. A first of its kind experiment launched by the federal government hoped to and was meant to help push the economy in the right direction.