EHS

for some reason Facebook will not let me post my piece on the burning of the high school.  Try this one to get there.

R.I.P. Eubank High School---1929-1986, burned 2011

Last night the abandoned old building that used to house Eubank High School burned down to the exterior brick.  A good shove will send them tumbling into the chasm that remains of the smoldering ruins.  Locals say this is the 4th or 5th time the building has suffered attempts at arson and it did not survive the last.  As I stood there this morning I pointed out the rooms where the best high school English/Lit high school teacher, Mary Margaret Silvers, worked.  Just below that room was the window of my history/geography teacher, Gordon Warren, who managed to get into my thick head the meat of his subjects.  Over to the right was the classroom of M.L. Bodie who operated under the assumption that if you did not come to learn chemistry that was not his problem.  Above that was the classroom of Bob Adams, who did his best to teach math.  To many he was successful but to me he was not.  I doubt it was his fault.

My favorite room was a gaping hole.  The library where we had study hall under the watchful gaze of Principle J.B. Albright was a playground for me.  Not only did I love the books but I loved the horsing around with the guys and trying to impress the girls.  That earned me a stint as an assistant in the library just to occupy my time and relieve others of watching me.

I stood up at the head of the sidewalk and looked down the long band of concrete that used to run between rows of maple trees up to the front door.  On warm days kids would be lined up, sitting on the edge of the sidewalk doing what high school kids did in the '60s. Right over there is the classroom I was in when we heard that President Kennedy had been murdered.  November 22, 1963, I was a Junior.

When I entered college at Somerset Community College in 1965 I was very well prepared in the subjects that I had bothered to learn.  I did not do so well in math.  The lessons taught to me by Ms. Silvers and Mr. Warren are still with me.  My love of writing and reading, my abiding interest in history and government.  I can still pore over a map until I find myself wondering where the time went.  A testament to my high school.

The principle and the teachers knew my parents and often word of my misdeeds would beat me home.  That always made for a bad day.  The teachers and J.B. made it their business to know mine.  This is what makes the difference in the schools of today.  It is not the teacher's fault for the most part.  It is the parents who don't reinforce the teachers and the kids who don't come with the expectations of their parents to excel.  In this education model the teachers, administration and parents all cared and it worked.

On nights there was a basketball game the town lit up.  The parking lots were full and all the people the law would allow would jam the old gym to watch the local team perform.  Everyone knew the player's names and their parents.  The younger kids would run in and out, over to the concession stand for some fresh popped popcorn and a small cup of Coca-Cola.

When the high school closed, a victim of consolidation, the heart of the town died.  The hub of interest and entertainment was missing and there was just no reason to be in the town of Eubank unless you had business there and that gradually faded.

Now it is a ghost of itself. A pale heap of painted brick and ashes with countless memories attached to them.  I hope that soon the current owner, who failed his obligation to the town to contribute something, will quickly clear away the rubble so that the past can quietly die and, perhaps, make way for a future.  The owner now cries that he was going to make a children's center out of it but they are crocodile tears.  He had allowed the building to fall into such disrepair that there was no future possible for that icon.

Arsonists have become increasingly bolder in the Eubank area.  It will be a relief when the perpetrators are receiving their just desserts.  But for now, lift a glass to old Eubank High.  It is gone but it will never be forgotten as long as we who passed through those doors hold our memories dear.

American Exports Increase

Lockheed Martin Receives $1.96 Bln Order To Supply THAAD To UAE

A keen example of the American Corporate Interests at work. One of our major exports is war materiel and this contract goes to United Arab Emirates who use it to maintain their external security while they have a death grip on their internal security with an autocratic government.

This is only one example of how the military-industrial-legislative complex has become so integrated into our economic fortunes. This will represent a significant source of revenue for our export column.

The Veil Falls

Egypt Raids Worry Targets, Draw U.S. Rebuke - WSJ.com

it appears that the ruling military elite in Egypt will not suffer the people to choose their way. In the short term this may bode well for the goals of the United States in the Middle East but in the long run it will be to our benefit to be on the side of the people.

If the military is successful in retaining power or if the election result in a coup then the move for democracy in Egypt and North Africa will receive a bitter blow indeed.

Occupy the White House?

Ron Paul Praises Occupy Wall Street As Five Protesters Arrested Outside Iowa Headquarters | Ology


Sometimes this guy gets it right. Sometimes he drives it over the edge.

Moving Ahead

Bridge financing costs for Kentucky projected to be lower - Louisville - Business First

These are the kinds of things that are intrinsically necessary to a growing population and economy. The river is a handicap as well as a boon to the economy and state governments must step up. The proposal to secure funding through bonding to be paid by tolls is an intelligent decision and one that could be used to great effect for other projects.

Time for the Exam

Louisville might put Kentucky's Teague to the test | University of Kentucky Sports News | Lexington Herald-Leader

this will be a test for Teague. Pitino will be a very capable coach at attacking points of weakness. His modus operandi is to wear the other team down. Louisville is playing great ball and it will take an effort comparable to the UNC game to beat them. Good thing it is in Rupp.

Don't expect conference play to be a cakewalk either.  There are several teams capable of tripping UK up.  But if they allow Coach Cal to teach them they will go a long way.

Nasty Stuff

Super PACs boost Gingrich's rivals – USATODAY.com



I am no friend of Newt Gingrich but to allow money to sway the election is despicable. Or worse, but should be illegal.

Is this the face of the US in the Middle East?

Girl's plight highlights Jewish extremism – USATODAY.com


I sometimes wonder why we support such a government that allows discrimination such as this. I just don't see any difference in radical religious behavior such as this and the same behavior on the part of Muslim radicals. It has to be condemned in both cases. Is this how we want the United States to be perceived in the Middle East? It is time for us to asking the Israelis to help us a little.  We would certainly never tolerate such behavior here and Israel would not exist were it not for the help from the United States.

Gingrich Applauded Romney's Health Plan - WSJ.com

Gingrich Applauded Romney's Health Plan - WSJ.com

It is difficult to appreciate the chutzpah of these guys.

Now, Here.

Local police stockpile high-tech, combat-ready gear | America's War Within

Read this with reference to the earlier piece on the Egyptian military. The militarization of our police force not only removes it from a civilian concept but gives them weapons and tactics that are military in nature.

It's Not Only Here

Shell Oil Spill Approaches Nigerian Shoreline : NPR--

estimates are that the equivalent of one Exxon Valdez spill per year occurs in these oil fields. What does it matter? Think about it.

The 'Girl In The Blue Bra' : The Picture Show : NPR

The 'Girl In The Blue Bra' : The Picture Show : NPR

these links give the lie to the Egyptian revolution. With the military in power nothing has changed. The military was in power before, just with Mubarak as leader.

Don't think this can never happen here. It has in the past and it will again. This is striking because of the blue bra. The blue bra itself illustrates a hidden attempt to make a statement of legitimacy even if covered by a veil or burkha. The for a woman to be thus exposed and beaten senseless in public denies the supposed respect for women.

This photograph has the potential to be shattering just as the photograph of the girl in green in Iran was. Study the photograph and watch the video and determine to oppose such behavior in our country and in the rest of the world.

READ THIS LINK

NDAA and SOPA Bills Aim to Quash Dissent - International Business Times




these are 2 bills offered under the guise of national security and the protection of intellectual property but the underlying purpose is to stifle the equalizing and normalized power of the unregulated internet. These bills will authorize illegal detention of American citizens and provide for a means of cutting the information chain so that accounts used by protesters such as facebook and twitter will lose their power. Most will assert that we will never use them that way but it is a characteristic of power that once authorized it will be used.

Runup to 2012

Analysis: Republicans risk backlash in 2012 | Reuters

there are lots of things yet to happen due to the trillions of dollars cut from the budget without including some revenue enhancements.

This Sucks!!!

Soldiers just back from Iraq get new orders: Afghanistan - CNN.com

Is The Private Sector Better?

Caution on Privatization

New University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto recently announced that the university would stay out of the fracas surrounding whether to replace or remodel Rupp Arena. I think that was probably the correct move. The entire complex at Lexington Center really has more to do with the development of downtown Lexington as an attraction than it does a place for the Wildcats to play basketball. I know that may be heresy in some quarters but it should be recognized that UK already has one of the premier forums in the country. Seating capacity is over 23,000 which is quite a lot. To seriously campaign for the NCAA finals one would have to compete with the domes and that is just not going to happen. Besides, the remodel or replacement of Rupp Arena would generally concentrate on more luxury seats to generate more revenue rather than increased seating for students and less wealthy fans.

President Capilouto is right in saying the university has bigger fish to fry with the education of the students in Kentucky and that any participation in fund raising for the Lexington Center project would likely interfere with lobbying for University of Kentucky dollars. Kentucky athletics is doing all right but our educational system is not. While it is necessary to focus on primary and secondary education it has to be recognized that we have neglected the plan to make the state university a top 20 facility. Mr. Capilouto has engaged a company of efficiency experts at a cost of $1.2 million to examine each facet of university operations and recommend how to better use the taxpayer's and donor's funds. $1.2 million seems like a lot of money to me but I have a somewhat limited experience with numbers with that many zeros.

However, I am not a fan of privatization of public affairs and his proposal to enter into an agreement with private enterprise to remove the existing campus living quarters and build new ones gives me pause. The agreement would also allow the company to collect all rents from the student tenants for an unspecified period and to manage all campus lodging.

Recent years have seen the Kentucky legislature underfund the university on a continuing basis. The governor and our legislature bears much of the onus for this due to the aversion to reforming the Kentucky tax code to bring up to date the revenue generating capacity of the state and to permit more rational budgeting for state needs. The University of Kentucky has accumulated residence needs estimated at $500 million and total campus needs of perhaps $1 billion. This did not happen all at once and can be laid at the feet of a state budget process that has pushed problems down the road rather than deal with potentially unpopular political decisions.

The cost of attending college has skyrocketed in the past decade or so chiefly due to the reluctance of state governments to adequately fund higher education. To be sure, there may be other factors such as administrative bloat to contribute to the shortfall but the point is that college is being priced out of the range of the average middle class family. This will only exacerbate the dramatic increase in the divide between the haves and the have-nots. Economic mobility has always been accepted as a given in the United States but now we are seeing third world countries with better economic mobility percentages. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that educational achievement is the greatest leveler of economic opportunity and it should be of significant importance for a society to maintain a vibrant and prosperous middle class. Just now the United States is at a pivotal time when we could put to use more scientists, engineers and mathematicians and we are falling behind in making those careers available to all. No doubt, college is not for everyone but the scientific superiority of the United States will be what keeps our economy flourishing.

And herein lies my unease with privatization of the university housing. Private enterprise is in the business of making money and will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. If it does not do that then it will cease to exist. Given that premise it follows that there may be cost cutting decisions and revenue enhancement decisions that may not be consistent with the purpose of the university which, in my opinion, is to educate as wide a range of the population as possible.

I may be wrong but the history of using private enterprise to accomplish public or quasi-public functions has been less than stellar due to the tendency to cut costs and the reluctance of governments to chip in when the cost to the student becomes onerous, as it already has. We can witness the problems that we have encountered with the private management of prisons, food services and educational facilities. And witness the proliferation of private military contractors who are little more than mercenaries. Time and time again we have seen transgressions that would not be permitted under state management and regulation. To assume that any effective oversight would come from either university or state government after the fact defies the experience of our past.

Personally, I think that legislators need to man up (or woman up) and take seriously the duty to adequately fund the functions of the state and tax revenues are part of that equation.

That's my take. Privatized housing may be the answer but I would enter that future with an excess of caution.

Do You Get It Yet?

Try This

Is there anyone left who just doesn't get the message of the Occupy movement? If so, then try this.

By employing a plethora of tax-dodging techniques, 30 multi-million dollar American corporations expended more money lobbying Congress than they paid in federal income taxes between 2008 and 2010, ultimately spending approximately $400,000 every day -- including weekends -- during that three-year period to lobby lawmakers and influence political elections, according to a new report from the non-partisan Public Campaign.

International Business Times

This is a telling allegation because it tells us that it is profitable to spend this kind of money in order to get Congress to legislate in a friendly way. Not only is it friendly but some of these giant corporations even get the United States Treasury to send them a tax rebate check because they end up with a negative tax rate. That's right. They get the treasury (that is you and me) to pay them for doing business and bribing our legislators. How messed up is that? Did you get that part about influencing elections?

Now, Mitt Romney and the other Republicans say that corporations are people too and the money they spend to prostitute our government is free speech. I will agree that I also have the right to try to influence my Congressman to do things the way I want him to. And I can influence elections by going to vote. But who do you think any of them will listen to? Will it be me with my concerns and no free speech in my pocket or will it be the corporations with banks just full of free speech? That is a no-brainer.

Now, the GOP along with some inappropriately named Democrats would try to make us believe that if we ask corporations to pay some kind of tax that it will mean that they will stub up and not create jobs. If that is the case then they are not very patriotic citizens. What! You say that the corporations are in business of making money? Well, I’m OK with that as long as they don't drown out my free speech with their version that speaks louder than words and that they pay taxes like the rest of us.

Of those companies, General Electric (GE) spent the most on lobbying, expending about $84 million on lobbying while paying a federal income tax rate of negative 45 percent on more than $10 billion in U.S. profits. PG&E Corp. followed General Electric, spending almost $79 million on lobbying, while paying a negative 21 percent tax rate on $4.8 billion of U.S profits, and Verizon Communications, which spent $52 billion on lobbying while paying a negative 3 percent tax rate on $32.5 billion of profits.

International Business Times

It may bear mentioning that Jack Welch is the former CEO of General Electric and is lionized in the corporate world as a management visionary and that the current CEO of General Electric, Jeffrey Immelt, is the chair of President Obama's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. Don't get me wrong. It is good for America to have extremely profitable corporations and for them to be influential but it is also good for America for them to be on our side. The truth is that corporations are on no one's side other than the stockholders and that is just the way it is. I'm OK with that, just pay the taxes and keep your money away from my free speech.

So, do you get it yet? The Occupy movement says that it is not enough to just change people in Congress. The problem is that the system is rigged to emphasize the power of the 1% at the expense of the remaining 99%, When a corporation can claim that its money used to influence elections and legislation is free speech the system is rigged and must be changed. When Wall Street banks can come up with nefarious ways to extract money that no one can understand then the system is rigged and must be changed. When the Wall Street banks can cause people's life savings and pensions to disappear without anyone going to jail the system is rigged and must be changed.

This is no mystery. There are very simple things that can be done to effect the necessary change but it will require people for whom the lust for power is not overwhelming to act. That is what the Occupy movement is doing. No one has all the answers yet but the conversation must be changed. It will do no good to tinker with a repressive system. I have a few ideas that I think would work. Maybe you do. But I can assure you that somewhere in the great body that is the United States the answers exist.

My take is that the Occupy movement is idealistic and sometimes unrealistic but they do have a point. Something that our Congress seems to have lost.

Say What?

Obama to let states decide benefit levels under health law - Los Angeles Times


this is just another example of things that many of us took heat for being watered down for political reasons. Why on earth would we endure the political trauma just to squander the advantage that was bought with a tremendous price?

Kentucky's new Medicaid program is proof enough for me.

just say no?

Incandescent light bulb ban put on hold - Dec. 16, 2011

Will they stop at nothing just to say NO!? It is about not building more coal fired electrical generators or buying more foreign oil. Sized correctly the fluorescents are as bright but just have a warmup time. The LEDs are astonishingly good and way more efficient. Just another way to throw rocks.

Someone Like You

I actually agree with NPR on this one.

Who Pays?

The Associated Press: AP Sources: Dem lawmakers may drop millionaire tax


How long do they think they can cut revenue without finding a way to replace it? We've been doing this for 30 years with the same result. Go figure.

Looking Up

College Basketball Analysis: Grading the Kentucky Wildcats

interesting analysis of the Cats that emphasizes the youth and inexperience. However, the future is bright.

Palestine

Gingrich spokesman defends controversial Palestinian remark - CNN.com

The Palestinians are as real as the Egyptians, Saudis, Jordanians and Lebanese. The country was called Palestine as far back as the time of the Roman occupation. Which may lend credence to both the peoples being of the same extraction.

Hoosier Daddy?

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Indiana Hoosiers - Recap - December 10, 2011 - ESPN




It had to happen. The inexperience of Kentucky's freshmen showed through today. Miscalculations and misjudgements and then a loss of mental presence on the last play doomed this game. Don't get me wrong. Indiana deserved to win and played well enough to win. Tom Crean has done an excellent job at IU and may finally be able to get Indiana past its Knight envy. In these games you have got to hit the free throws and keep your head in the game. Some didn't.

Kentucky fans want to win them all and take it personally when the Cats lose but Coach Cal will use this to make them a better team. The past two years have proven that.

So, let's lick our wounds and move on. Louisville next and they want to beat us just as bad as the Hoosiers did.

With Friends Like These.......

Taliban Commander Confirms Peace Talks With Pakistan : NPR

UK v IU

Edge in talent goes to Kentucky basketball over Indiana | The Courier-Journal | courier-journal.com

More red meat for Kentucky fanatics.


 http://bcove.me/33zp4w03

This is You

Breast cancer, health insurance and an apology to President Obama - Los Angeles Times

Evryone who is interested in health care, and that is everyone, needs to follow the link here and read this article. Every word because this is you.

This administration should have someone front and center every day explaining how the provisions of this act are going to help the average person.

Here We Go Again

Well, it seems that the City of Somerset is relenting from its previously sensible position on the annexation of roadways and is climbing on the bandwagon. The cities of Burnside, Ferguson and Somerset are engaged in one of the most nonsensical and ludicrous exercises I have ever witnessed in municipal governments. You may recall that Ferguson and Burnside have been busy annexing the various roadways and lake shores which has had the effect of hemming in residents but not including them. They say that they just want to give the residents hemmed in the choice of uniting with whatever municipality has done the hemming. Or not. Heretofore Somerset had resisted this inane procedure while insisting on actually annexing residents who could either gain or lose from the action and who would presumably have something to say about it. Well, resist no longer. It appears that Somerset will relent and begin annexing roadways that it will not own and hem in people it will not serve. Go figure.

Of course, the councilors are just elated with the choice since they won't have to take a potentially unpopular decision that could affect their political future.

Mayor Girdler has previously advocated annexing an area of Pulaski County that would bring the population of the city to about 20,000 which would trigger other opportunities open to a city of that size. That made a lot of sense since the city would be offering services in return for levying taxes. A move such as this actually has some benefit to the citizens other than allowing them to be cited for traffic violations by whatever entity has annexed the roadway but has incurred no risk.

I really can't blame the City of Somerset for taking this tack. As Mayor Jones of Burnside stated, “it may appear ridiculous but it seems to be entirely legal.” This may be a paraphrase since I don't have the quote in front of me but it does carry the meaning. Mayor Girdler has been unable to get a majority of the councilors to team with him for his proposed annexation so in order to prevent Burnside and Ferguson from gobbling up every road in the county he is going to relent and gobble up a road or two himself.

I don't care who does this, it still seems a ridiculous way to do things. No matter what they say, those residents hemmed in are affected. It is just not yet. It just limits options in the future and it appears that as long as it doesn't smack them in the face that people are just OK with that. IN MY OPINION, if anything is going to be annexed it should result in some kind of benefit and cost to the affected people. What are you going to do if one of the cities annexes some little roadway next to your property? Does anyone see where this can potentially head?

Mayor Girdler insists that this is just a short hop on his journey to 20,000 but is is still a crazy way to do business. However, the city councilors are just pleased as punch since they won't have to make a decision and can appear forward looking when the election cycle rolls around. And they won't have to defend a decision. Even those who were formerly against annexation are now for it since nobody in the county will be affected and, presumably, nobody will be ticked off.

You know, this subverts the way a democratic republic is supposed to work. With our electoral system someones stands for something and someone opposes. The people vote according to which one will best meet their interests and hopes and a representative is elected. What earthly good does it do to just elect people who can put their name on a letterhead and meet with the other councilors or magistrates or Senators or Representatives. Obviously someone is thinking about annexation or the city wouldn't be eager to prevent the other cities from doing it. Is it just too much to ask for the people to be given something to express their wishes over? This is not just a local problem. It goes all the way to the halls of Congress down in DC. Government is stymied by people who are afraid to put their political futures on the line for something they believe in. Our representatives are unwilling to be unelected if the people don't like what they stand for. Can it really be true that voters are saying that they want someone who will go into office to do nothing? To take no chances?

Those of you who follow my column are no doubt aware that I have an opinion on most things. I am also aware of the characteristics of the uniqueness of opinions. Everybody has one, or they should. My opinion is that I want elected officials who can envision the future and prepare their area for that future, not one that says let's just wait and see what happens. But positions are tricky things and require fortitude since someone may actually disagree.

My take? Good grief, just stand up and make your case. Take a chance! At least we will find out what the people want.

Just Lighten Up

Kentucky coach John Calipari: ‘I’d be surprised if I’d be here longer than 10 years’ - The Washington Post


At Kentucky we are still looking for another Adolph Rupp who will lead us to the promised land year after year for the rest of his life. Well, even Rupp couldn't do that. When Pitino split for a dream job and a boat load of money we called him an idiot and when he went to work at Louisville we called him a traitor. Kentucky fans are the most knowledgeable and the most demanding in the world. Need to get some balance.

Having said that, do you think we can make the final four for the next seven years?

Why The Puzzlement

The Associated Press: Gingrich's rise puzzles critics of his record

I can't understand why people are so mystified about the recent popularity of Gingrich. The GOP multitudes, led by the Tea Party, simply don't like Mitt Romney and will look everywhere for an option. It is Newt's turn. Soon he will self-destruct leaving Romney alone to carry the standard.

Frack It.

EPA Connects 'Fracking' To Water Contamination : NPR

Is this the smoking gun that tarnishes the good name of natural gas? Lots of anecdotal evidence such as people lighting their tap water but this could be the first of the scientific connections.  Truth of the matter is that burning fossil fuels has to go.

Fast and Furious

Holder to GOP critic: 'Have you no shame?' - CNN.com

I will agree that this operation is despicable but how is it when compared to entered the entire United States and its military into a war based on lies and false information? Sting operations like this are conducted all of the time. This one went sour.



 

Keystone

Why It's Called 'The New Yorker' | Daily Yonder | Keep It Rural

There will be a lot of noise about the delay of this pipeline but here is the reason for the delay.

Why Biodiversity?

Insects Find Crack In Biotech Corn's Armor : The Salt : NPR

And why is it so important to preserve biodiversity? This story points out the reason very clearly.

Israeli Response

Netanyahu spokesman: Palestinians to blame for deadlock | World news | guardian.co.uk

Predictably the two sides seem to seize every opportunity to foster disaster while it is the United States that will be left with the hot potato.

Leon Speaks!

Panetta: Israel must 'get to the damn table' - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Leon has become a bit more outspoken and the use of mild profanity seems a bit more appropriate for the SecDef.

Turnout reaches 62 per cent in Egypt poll - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Turnout reaches 62 per cent in Egypt poll - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Egyptian Vote

Turnout reaches 62 per cent in Egypt poll - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Wouldn't it be great if we could do this?

The Big Dog Speaks

Bill Clinton upstages Obama again at green buildings event - Darren Samuelsohn - POLITICO.com

Was He Gone?

The return of Bad Newt Gingrich - Maggie Haberman and Alexander Burns - POLITICO.com

Whaaaat?

Walker administration would charge Capitol protesters for police, cleanup - JSOnline

Has the Governor forgotten who he works for? It would seem so. If this is the kind of democracy he wants he should move to China.

The Tardy Thanksgiving

These days it sometimes seems hard to bring to mind things for which we should be thankful. Most of us have and are experiencing a bit of a tough time right now with no apparent respite on the horizon. Of course, we tend to focus on our doldrums and allow the blessings that we enjoy pass on by with nary a mention. It is a difficult time all over our country as the news broadcasts hasten to tell us, as if we needed a reminder. Perhaps it is to show us that we are not alone in our misery and everyone knows that misery loves company. Just strike up a conversation with a stranger and see where it goes.

I was tempted to belabor the points of misery that we are suffering but instead I think my time would be better used in attempting to enumerate some of the blessings and good fortune we take for granted.

We should be thankful for the accident of birth that allows us to live in the United States of America. It is the most prosperous country in the world despite losing several categories to some other countries. It is a land of exceptional freedom and opportunity even though a couple of the Scandinavian countries now surpass us in the ability of their citizens to enjoy upward mobility. We have largely escaped the strictures to conform to a particular religion and enjoy the freedom to practice whatever faith we choose or none at all despite many efforts to change that.

It is good to note that freedom of assembly is still generally intact although under siege from time to time. In Egypt and Syria the people are dying in the streets to gain that freedom. There is nothing like the prospect of death to make one appreciate life.

I began writing this a few days before the Thanksgiving holiday but became sidetracked by some of the unexpected things in life. Things that just demand your attention and that can pull out of your eagerly anticipated plans and thrust you into situations that defy all attempts to categorize or quantify.

While enjoying getting to see and hold grandchildren and basking in the company of children who have gone too long unseen my sister became ill and ended up in our hospital and then on to St. Joseph's in Lexington. What was expected to be a relatively easy thing to deal with all of a sudden became life threatening. I am happy to say that after some serious heart surgery (as if there were any that is not serious) my sister is on the mend even though she feels like she has been run over by a moose. (Thanks for all your prayers).

The things of thanks and happiness are so much more simple than we allow for. Too often we place our happiness in material things and our yearnings for approval from others when true joy can only come from those things that cost us a part of ourselves. Don't think me too altruistic because I am pretty sure I could be joyful at the sight of a new Corvette with my name on it but even that would come a pauper to the joy felt at the reminiscences of siblings growing up together or the love of a Mother you have known all your life. The joy of having found a wife with whom to share whatever life brings. I have never been able to understand not wanting to share gifts with someone who knows you and what they mean to you.

So, this is my Thanksgiving column and we are well on our way to Christmas. I think I will try to refrain from making my plans for that holiday too detailed and just enjoy the fellowship of my family and friends, often the two overlap. Sometimes I wonder just how much free will we actually enjoy when we are buffeted by the winds of the unforeseen. How we meet those challenges could well define how much we enjoy the gift of life and living in this country. Even at our worst we are more fortunate than 90% of the rest of the world.

Very few things that are worth anything come without requiring some piece of ourselves and by that I don't mean money or material wealth. I mean by requiring some self-sacrifice or the placing of someone else ahead of yourself. I know people for whom this is crazy talk but I think they just miss the point. How selfish would one have to be to not feel joy in knowing that he or she had some part in giving and in loving?

The Thanksgiving holiday was expected to be joyful and it was. But other travails that arose unforeseen gave rise to another kind of joy. I am often reminded of the quote by that great philosopher Forrest Gump as it was given to him by his Mother. “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.”