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Thanks...
Author: BobR
Date: 11/21/2012 15:33:55
It's hard to believe that it's that time of year again. Tomorrow is the traditional "turkey" day, where we ostensibly give thanks for our blessings while we stuff various foods in our faces that we only eat once a year (seriously - how often do you eat cranberry sauce?). We all have a lot of things to be thankful for in our personal lives; we also have some things to be thankful for as a nation.
Despite the FOX "News" watchers, we can all be thankful that the voters turned out in numbers too big to ignore, and too big to steal, reelecting Barack Obama for another 4 years. We also maintained control of the Senate, and narrowed the margin in the House. The worst of the worst were either voted out, or never made it in. Women do not have to worry about national legislation rolling back their rights. The economic recovery can continue. There's a real chance that tax sanity will return.
Four years ago, the country (and quickly following - the rest of the world) was heading down a deep economic hole in a death spiral of collapsing financial institutions, with credit markets drying up. I know that most of us here were affected. I lost my job in early 2009, and several others here were struggling. It seems that we're all better off now, with more secure positions, and/or better pay, and/or better living conditions. I personally will likely be getting my first raise in 2 years, and possibly a promotion.
Over the past year we've been consumed with presidential politics (for better or worse - probably worse), so we can be thankful that the campaigning and political ads are over with. We as a nation can move forward and focus on those areas we have in common, and try to rebuild the bridges burned during the campaigns. We always talk about rebuilding our infrastructure, but there is a national psychic infrastructure that needs repair too.
I am thankful for all you regular members of FourFreedomsBlog who share your lives and thoughts and keep this tiny corner of the internets alive. I know I probably say that every year, but it's always true. We've been at this for over 5 years now, and it never feels stale. Facebook is bigger and more sophisticated, but this feels more personal.
And - we have audicons.
THAT is something to be thankful for.
Despite the FOX "News" watchers, we can all be thankful that the voters turned out in numbers too big to ignore, and too big to steal, reelecting Barack Obama for another 4 years. We also maintained control of the Senate, and narrowed the margin in the House. The worst of the worst were either voted out, or never made it in. Women do not have to worry about national legislation rolling back their rights. The economic recovery can continue. There's a real chance that tax sanity will return.
Four years ago, the country (and quickly following - the rest of the world) was heading down a deep economic hole in a death spiral of collapsing financial institutions, with credit markets drying up. I know that most of us here were affected. I lost my job in early 2009, and several others here were struggling. It seems that we're all better off now, with more secure positions, and/or better pay, and/or better living conditions. I personally will likely be getting my first raise in 2 years, and possibly a promotion.
Over the past year we've been consumed with presidential politics (for better or worse - probably worse), so we can be thankful that the campaigning and political ads are over with. We as a nation can move forward and focus on those areas we have in common, and try to rebuild the bridges burned during the campaigns. We always talk about rebuilding our infrastructure, but there is a national psychic infrastructure that needs repair too.
I am thankful for all you regular members of FourFreedomsBlog who share your lives and thoughts and keep this tiny corner of the internets alive. I know I probably say that every year, but it's always true. We've been at this for over 5 years now, and it never feels stale. Facebook is bigger and more sophisticated, but this feels more personal.
And - we have audicons.
THAT is something to be thankful for.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 11/21/2012 14:10:39
wickedpam on 11/21/2012 14:10:39
Morning 
Comment by 
TriSec on 11/21/2012 14:11:16
TriSec on 11/21/2012 14:11:16
Run, turkey, Run!
Comment by TriSec on 11/21/2012 14:16:55
TriSec on 11/21/2012 14:16:55
Just for the record, I hate Citrix.
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 11/21/2012 14:27:56
trojanrabbit on 11/21/2012 14:27:56
Morning all.
Getting let out at lunchtime today. The commute CANT be any worse than yesterday, can it?
Wish I had phasers.
Getting let out at lunchtime today. The commute CANT be any worse than yesterday, can it?
Wish I had phasers.
Comment by TriSec on 11/21/2012 14:30:09
TriSec on 11/21/2012 14:30:09
There's something interesting about listening to "The Imperial March" the day before Thanksgiving...I feel like massacring a fleet of turkeys now.
Comment by TriSec on 11/21/2012 14:30:47
Oh, good God. 32 miles of backup on 128S? I'm not even trying - working from home today.
TriSec on 11/21/2012 14:30:47
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Morning all.
Getting let out at lunchtime today. The commute CANT be any worse than yesterday, can it?
Wish I had phasers.
Oh, good God. 32 miles of backup on 128S? I'm not even trying - working from home today.
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 14:32:47
Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 14:32:47
So when will POTUS pardon the White House turkey. It is the big news story today.
Comment by 
BobR on 11/21/2012 14:33:12
BobR on 11/21/2012 14:33:12
Sorry - by the end of the week, I'll have slept in 5 different cities over two weeks, only two days of which will be my own. I am having a "if it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium" moment.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/21/2012 14:37:48
No worries
wickedpam on 11/21/2012 14:37:48
Quote by BobR:
Sorry - by the end of the week, I'll have slept in 5 different cities over two weeks, only two days of which will be my own. I am having a "if it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium" moment.
No worries
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 14:43:29
Who doesn't?
Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 14:43:29
Quote by TriSec:
Just for the record, I hate Citrix.
Who doesn't?
Comment by TriSec on 11/21/2012 14:44:34
TriSec on 11/21/2012 14:44:34
So, as I told my oncologist way back at the beginning, after she described some of the side effects..." I don't like either my coffee or my juice lukewarm."
So how am I drinking both this morning?
Fucking Cancer.
So how am I drinking both this morning?
Fucking Cancer.
Comment by TriSec on 11/21/2012 14:53:58
Oh, and you couldn't drive another 180 miles further north?
TriSec on 11/21/2012 14:53:58
Quote by BobR:
Sorry - by the end of the week, I'll have slept in 5 different cities over two weeks, only two days of which will be my own. I am having a "if it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium" moment.
Oh, and you couldn't drive another 180 miles further north?
Comment by TriSec on 11/21/2012 15:01:00
I may have failed to mention the thousand suns all going supernova at the same time, just before the galaxy gets sucked into a supermassive black hole.
TriSec on 11/21/2012 15:01:00
Quote by Mondobubba:
Who doesn't?
I may have failed to mention the thousand suns all going supernova at the same time, just before the galaxy gets sucked into a supermassive black hole.
Comment by trojanrabbit on 11/21/2012 15:11:37
trojanrabbit on 11/21/2012 15:11:37
When we switched to normal EST a while ago, the only auto-setting clock that didn't was the clock that projects the time on the ceiling above the bed. I manually set it to the correct time.
Guess what it did sometime very early this morning? Mrs. Rabbit was wondering why her iPod said 5:30 when the clock said 4:30......oooops
Guess what it did sometime very early this morning? Mrs. Rabbit was wondering why her iPod said 5:30 when the clock said 4:30......oooops
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 15:30:58
Yes, this is the standard default setting for Citrix end users, what of it?
Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 15:30:58
Quote by TriSec:Quote by Mondobubba:
Who doesn't?
I may have failed to mention the thousand suns all going supernova at the same time, just before the galaxy gets sucked into a supermassive black hole.
Yes, this is the standard default setting for Citrix end users, what of it?
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 15:31:59
As opposed to abnormal EST? You are on the edge of pet peeve, EST and EDT...
Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 15:31:59
Quote by trojanrabbit:
When we switched to normal EST a while ago, the only auto-setting clock that didn't was the clock that projects the time on the ceiling above the bed. I manually set it to the correct time.
Guess what it did sometime very early this morning? Mrs. Rabbit was wondering why her iPod said 5:30 when the clock said 4:30......oooops
As opposed to abnormal EST? You are on the edge of pet peeve, EST and EDT...
Comment by trojanrabbit on 11/21/2012 15:35:56
See what having to rush to get to work did to me?
trojanrabbit on 11/21/2012 15:35:56
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by trojanrabbit:
When we switched to normal EST a while ago, the only auto-setting clock that didn't was the clock that projects the time on the ceiling above the bed. I manually set it to the correct time.
Guess what it did sometime very early this morning? Mrs. Rabbit was wondering why her iPod said 5:30 when the clock said 4:30......oooops
As opposed to abnormal EST? You are on the edge of pet peeve, EST and EDT...
See what having to rush to get to work did to me?
Comment by BobR on 11/21/2012 15:36:58
BobR on 11/21/2012 15:36:58
blog is posted
Comment by BobR on 11/21/2012 15:38:03
No.
BobR on 11/21/2012 15:38:03
Quote by TriSec:Quote by BobR:
Sorry - by the end of the week, I'll have slept in 5 different cities over two weeks, only two days of which will be my own. I am having a "if it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium" moment.
Oh, and you couldn't drive another 180 miles further north?
No.
Comment by TriSec on 11/21/2012 15:48:24
I shall join you in said peeve.
If we spend more time of the year on "daylight Savings Time", then shouldn't that be the "New Eastern Standard Time", or NEST, and the rest of the year (old-school "standard time" be called "non-adjusted eastern time" or something like that?
TriSec on 11/21/2012 15:48:24
Quote by Mondobubba:
As opposed to abnormal EST? You are on the edge of pet peeve, EST and EDT...
I shall join you in said peeve.
If we spend more time of the year on "daylight Savings Time", then shouldn't that be the "New Eastern Standard Time", or NEST, and the rest of the year (old-school "standard time" be called "non-adjusted eastern time" or something like that?
Comment by 
Raine on 11/21/2012 15:50:51
Raine on 11/21/2012 15:50:51
To today's blog, I concur, with much love.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 15:59:33
I just avoid the whole issue by saying Eastern Time. Which I am trying to get as non-dinged quality item. When you say "Eastern Standard Time" when we are on EDT you sound like a moron. Details matter.
Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 15:59:33
Quote by TriSec:Quote by Mondobubba:
As opposed to abnormal EST? You are on the edge of pet peeve, EST and EDT...
I shall join you in said peeve.
If we spend more time of the year on "daylight Savings Time", then shouldn't that be the "New Eastern Standard Time", or NEST, and the rest of the year (old-school "standard time" be called "non-adjusted eastern time" or something like that?
I just avoid the whole issue by saying Eastern Time. Which I am trying to get as non-dinged quality item. When you say "Eastern Standard Time" when we are on EDT you sound like a moron. Details matter.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 16:02:13
I'm thankful that I can annoy my friends with Youtube clips.
Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 16:02:13
I'm thankful that I can annoy my friends with Youtube clips.
Comment by BobR on 11/21/2012 16:14:18
When I hear "Brasco", I think "Brasky"
BobR on 11/21/2012 16:14:18
Quote by Mondobubba:
I'm thankful that I can annoy my friends with Youtube clips.
When I hear "Brasco", I think "Brasky"
Comment by 
livingonli on 11/21/2012 16:54:29
livingonli on 11/21/2012 16:54:29
Good morning, everybody.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/21/2012 16:58:06
wickedpam on 11/21/2012 16:58:06
Sounds like an awesome printer!
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 17:02:25
Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 17:02:25
-worthy
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 17:06:31
Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 17:06:31
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 11/21/2012 17:27:21
Will in Chicago on 11/21/2012 17:27:21
BobR, thanks for a thoughtful blog!
I am grateful for this community. Your friendship and support means much to me. Having seen online communities that had much promise fade away, I think it is remarkable that we are here five years later.
I had my interview at a Chicago elementary school. I think it went fairly well. Also, I hope to hear back on the maternity leave position that I interviewed for last week. I am grateful that the economy has improved and I hope to be gainfully employed soon.
I am grateful for this community. Your friendship and support means much to me. Having seen online communities that had much promise fade away, I think it is remarkable that we are here five years later.
I had my interview at a Chicago elementary school. I think it went fairly well. Also, I hope to hear back on the maternity leave position that I interviewed for last week. I am grateful that the economy has improved and I hope to be gainfully employed soon.
Comment by 
clintster on 11/21/2012 17:31:58
Even the younglings?
clintster on 11/21/2012 17:31:58
Quote by TriSec:
There's something interesting about listening to "The Imperial March" the day before Thanksgiving...I feel like massacring a fleet of turkeys now.
Even the younglings?
Comment by clintster on 11/21/2012 17:34:34
I'm sure FOX will cover it as "President continues apology tour with Turkey pardon"
clintster on 11/21/2012 17:34:34
Quote by Mondobubba:
So when will POTUS pardon the White House turkey. It is the big news story today.
I'm sure FOX will cover it as "President continues apology tour with Turkey pardon"
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 17:38:20
Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 17:38:20
Linda McMahon, whatta dick!
And another, Twaine Don Gomes, said he was given a bad check…and more: ”Basically he handed me a check with a condom in it, told me I was screwed,” Gomes said. “That’s the rudest gesture you can ever do to a person, it’s like spitting in a person’s face.”
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 17:47:56
Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 17:47:56
Quote by clintster:Quote by Mondobubba:
So when will POTUS pardon the White House turkey. It is the big news story today.
I'm sure FOX will cover it as "President continues apology tour with Turkey pardon"
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/21/2012 18:00:41
Will in Chicago on 11/21/2012 18:00:41
I am thankful for some good news. For the past week, I have been very sad and angry over the conflict in Gaza between Hamas and Israel. Innocent people, Palestinians and Israelis, have been killed and hurt. There has been a lot of hateful rhetoric which I have seen online directed against Palestinians, Israelis, Muslims and Jews. Now, we have CNN reporting a ceasefire but we need to have it followed by serious negotiations. (I personally hope for new leadership in Israel, as Bibi Netanyahu has not shown to have much interest in negotiations.)
No one, whether Hamas or Gilad Sharon should cheer for the death or injury of any innocent civilians. We need to have a push for peace, and I have faith in the Israeli and Palestinian people. I have listened to peace activists from both sides, people who have faced imprisonment or the death of family members, and believe in the inherent desire for peace among two peoples long in conflict. May we see this conflict brought to an end by a just peace. May it be so. Ken Yehi Ratzon in Hebrew. I am not sure of the exact Arabic phrase, but I think "Inshallah" Allah willing, would be appropriate.
Cease-fire reached in Gaza conflict
By the CNN Wire Staff
updated 12:41 PM EST, Wed November 21, 2012
Near the Israel-Gaza border (CNN) -- A cease-fire agreement has been reached to end the hostilities in Gaza, Egypt's foreign minister announced Wednesday at a news conference.
The cease-fire was scheduled to take effect at 9 p.m. (2 p.m. ET) Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr said.
The agreement came hours after militants exploded a bomb on a public transport bus in Tel Aviv, injuring 24 people.
The blast shook up the Israeli public and drew immediate condemnation from world leaders, including U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who called it "shocking." The White House labeled the strike a "terrorist attack," and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States "stands ready to provide any assistance that Israel requires."
Hamas praised the attack, which struck close to the headquarters of the Israel Defense Forces, or IDF. But the group did not claim responsibility.
No one, whether Hamas or Gilad Sharon should cheer for the death or injury of any innocent civilians. We need to have a push for peace, and I have faith in the Israeli and Palestinian people. I have listened to peace activists from both sides, people who have faced imprisonment or the death of family members, and believe in the inherent desire for peace among two peoples long in conflict. May we see this conflict brought to an end by a just peace. May it be so. Ken Yehi Ratzon in Hebrew. I am not sure of the exact Arabic phrase, but I think "Inshallah" Allah willing, would be appropriate.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 20:37:20
Mondobubba on 11/21/2012 20:37:20
See Tri's earlier comments re: Citrix about my level of hatred for Outlook.
Comment by clintster on 11/21/2012 22:46:09
clintster on 11/21/2012 22:46:09
I found her in a garage in Aiken South Carolina, on Memorial Day 2001. She was part of a litter, six weeks old and obviously the runt. Her coloring and scraggly looks reminded me of an opossum, so I named her “Possum†and brought her back to North Carolina with me.
As she grew to adulthood, she filled out into a beautiful Maine Coon cat, with a personality that veered between eccentric and just plain crazy. You could pet her on the head and sugar wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but woe be unto you if your hand strayed anywhere past it. She would curl up beside me at night and sleep in the small of my back, so I would be set in one position for the rest of the evening.
I recently became separated and had to leave her behind due to a lack of space in my new place. About a month ago, my wife called me to tell me that Possum wasn’t eating. The vet at PetSmart had thought it was a dental problem. She wanted to wait for me to come back to Georgia to make a decision on the treatment. When I arrived, I looked at her and Possum was not the same. Her coat was matted and filthy. Her food was basically liquefied. She didn’t have the same spunk she had had once upon a time.
I gave her a bath and found that her fur was coming out in clumps. Her chest and belly were bare. When my wife and I examined her further, we found that her tongue looked almost as if it had been torn out. We had discussed before I came back the possibility of putting Possum down, but I had put off making a decision until I could see her myself. At that moment, I knew that it would be worse to try to keep her alive to suffer.
We packed Possum in a crate this afternoon, took her to an animal hospital and talked to the vet on duty about putting her to sleep. I held my cat, petted her, and kept her calm while the vet administered the tranqulizing shot. When she injected the last medicine, I lost it and cried for my friend of 11 years. I thanked her for being a good companion and told her that I loved her.
I know that she is in a better place now, and that her suffering is over, but I can’t help but still feel an awful sickening pain for my Possum. I’ve never had a companion animal that I’ve seen through from infancy to a matured passing. I’ve had dogs that were hit by cars, hamsters eaten by cats, and cats that perished before they became adults. I mourned them, but this one is going to stay with me for a long time to come. I loved you, Possum; I still do and always will.
Possum Muffin McGuire
4/15/01-11/21/12
As she grew to adulthood, she filled out into a beautiful Maine Coon cat, with a personality that veered between eccentric and just plain crazy. You could pet her on the head and sugar wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but woe be unto you if your hand strayed anywhere past it. She would curl up beside me at night and sleep in the small of my back, so I would be set in one position for the rest of the evening.
I recently became separated and had to leave her behind due to a lack of space in my new place. About a month ago, my wife called me to tell me that Possum wasn’t eating. The vet at PetSmart had thought it was a dental problem. She wanted to wait for me to come back to Georgia to make a decision on the treatment. When I arrived, I looked at her and Possum was not the same. Her coat was matted and filthy. Her food was basically liquefied. She didn’t have the same spunk she had had once upon a time.
I gave her a bath and found that her fur was coming out in clumps. Her chest and belly were bare. When my wife and I examined her further, we found that her tongue looked almost as if it had been torn out. We had discussed before I came back the possibility of putting Possum down, but I had put off making a decision until I could see her myself. At that moment, I knew that it would be worse to try to keep her alive to suffer.
We packed Possum in a crate this afternoon, took her to an animal hospital and talked to the vet on duty about putting her to sleep. I held my cat, petted her, and kept her calm while the vet administered the tranqulizing shot. When she injected the last medicine, I lost it and cried for my friend of 11 years. I thanked her for being a good companion and told her that I loved her.
I know that she is in a better place now, and that her suffering is over, but I can’t help but still feel an awful sickening pain for my Possum. I’ve never had a companion animal that I’ve seen through from infancy to a matured passing. I’ve had dogs that were hit by cars, hamsters eaten by cats, and cats that perished before they became adults. I mourned them, but this one is going to stay with me for a long time to come. I loved you, Possum; I still do and always will.
Possum Muffin McGuire
4/15/01-11/21/12
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/21/2012 23:20:20
Will in Chicago on 11/21/2012 23:20:20
Clintster, my condolences on Possum. It is hard to say goodbye to pets, particularly when you have raised them from infancy. Remember that Possum was loved and she will always be in your heart.
Comment by livingonli on 11/22/2012 00:36:02
livingonli on 11/22/2012 00:36:02
That's so sad. Any idea what caused Possum's health to decline like that?
Comment by trojanrabbit on 11/22/2012 01:35:14
trojanrabbit on 11/22/2012 01:35:14
So sorry, Clintster. :(
Comment by BobR on 11/22/2012 03:52:50
BobR on 11/22/2012 03:52:50
Aw Clinster... 
I am so sorry. I've had to say goodbye to my share of dogs and cats, and it's never easy. Sometimes, it's REALLY hard.
I am so sorry. I've had to say goodbye to my share of dogs and cats, and it's never easy. Sometimes, it's REALLY hard.
Comment by Raine on 11/22/2012 03:56:36
Raine on 11/22/2012 03:56:36
Oh, Clint.
I'm so sorry. Possum was a good and beautiful cat.
((( )))
I'm so sorry. Possum was a good and beautiful cat.
(((
)))
Comment by 
velveeta jones on 11/22/2012 17:18:09
velveeta jones on 11/22/2012 17:18:09
Hello and Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Clintster, so very, very sorry to hear about your sweet beautiful kitty.
Clintster, so very, very sorry to hear about your sweet beautiful kitty.
Comment by trojanrabbit on 11/22/2012 17:32:45
trojanrabbit on 11/22/2012 17:32:45
Found out this morning that my Dad fell this morning and was taken to the hospital. He hit his head so there is some internal bleeding in his head. I suspect they'll be doing an MRI very soon.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/22/2012 20:37:01
Will in Chicago on 11/22/2012 20:37:01
Trojanrabbit, my best wishes to your Dad.
Comment by livingonli on 11/22/2012 22:50:48
livingonli on 11/22/2012 22:50:48
Even though I am at work today I am able to watch the beatdown that the Redskins are giving to the Cowboys. (It's always important that the Cowboys lose).
Comment by clintster on 11/23/2012 02:20:08
Thinking of you and your family, Trojan.
clintster on 11/23/2012 02:20:08
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Found out this morning that my Dad fell this morning and was taken to the hospital. He hit his head so there is some internal bleeding in his head. I suspect they'll be doing an MRI very soon.
Thinking of you and your family, Trojan.