The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings to everyone in western Illinois. I'm a hope'n this column finds you in good spirits and cheers ya up a bit.
Well, the recent Thanksgiving holiday is now over as a special day set aside for a national holiday. But we should be thankful everyday, all day long for the many blessings God has given us.
I heard talk of, "Turkey Day" in lieu of, "Thanksgiving" on the radio and in print several times, even once in a short article of the Quill. I'm not sure, but in all probability they are just try'n to be "cute" or "funny" rather than "show'n derision" for the original purpose of the holiday.
But, in many respects one can determine the sincerity, respect and oft times moral character of a person by their conversation and what they make fun of. Me self I like have'n fun in a sometimes light hearted manner but, not when it comes to God and his goodness.
For those who intentionally show "detraction" by use'n, "Turkey Day" in place of Thanksgiving - what can I say. It's a "Free Country" and for the most part with "Free speech". To each his own as the saying applies. For those who care, II Timothy 3 might describe how this comes about if'n ya cares to search it out.
With those thoughts in mind, I'll make reference to, "Black Friday". It seems the shop'n event can turn ugly in some places for unfortunate folk. Stories are told of sharp elbows fly'n, robb'n other folks grocery carts, and pepper spray be'n used for a better chance at gett'n an XBox (whatever in the world that is).
Some stores such as Target, Best Buy, and Kohl's opened their doors for shoppers at midnight Thanksgiving night and Toys R Us opened again this year on Thanksgiving itself.
The manager of one store nabbed a shoplifter in the act hiding his theft in some secret compartments of his clothes. He was escorting the shoplifter to his office when the shoplifter suddenly broke loose and began to run away into the crowd of shoppers.
After a furious chase and a brief scuffle, the manager wrestled the shoplifter to the floor. As he looked up he saw a number of surprised customers staring at him.
"Everything's fine, folks", the manager said, "This feller just tried to go through the express line with more than nine items."
On Thanksgiving day the Hawkeye newspaper carried a one-half page article full of error and one-half truths against the corn farmer. But, just like substitute'n the term, "Turkey Day" for, "Thanksgiving", or, "XXX" for "Christmas," one should take those things in stride and not become angry - Anybody can become angry that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy. (Aristotle 384 BC-322BC)
So don't get excited if'n you've just discovered TV new stars and the liberal press are not journalists. They have been for a long time and continue to be just publicists. They do not report "news". They supply badly disguised advertising campaigns for the causes they endorse. At present they are campaign kick-offs for liberal politicians in 2012.
Politicians have not always been the way we see them pampered today. Let's take Harry Truman for example.
It has been told Harry Truman was a different kind of president. He probably made as many, or more important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 42 presidents preceeding him. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.
The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence, Missouri. His wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there.
When he retired from office in 1952 his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an "allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.
After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them.
When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, "You don't want me, you want the Office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale."
Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise." As president he paid for all of this own travel expenses and food.
Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale (cf. Illinois).
Good ole Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!"
Well, there ya have it now, just as I received it on ole Harry. But, don't get angry, "Just Vote"!
Here it is the first week in December already. Be a think'n about what Christmas really means to us and the rest will take care of itself.
Have a good week a come'n up and I'll look forward to "jaw'n" with you'ns next week.
Keep on Smile'n
Catch ya Later
Barnyard Bruke