Thanks at Thankgiving

The American holiday, Thanksgiving, is my favorite holiday. I like turkey, pumpkin pie, family gatherings, football, and multiple helpings of all of these, but personally, it is a time that reminds me to be grateful for everything that I have, no matter who is responsible for my having it. It is also a time for me feel a little sad for billions of people who have little hope of getting even a fraction of the wealth that I (temporarily) possess.
Farmers all over the world, but mostly, here in America, are responsible for raising all of the food I eat. I do not grow any food on my 1/8 of an acre in the Ohio city of Cincinnati. Many of these farmers are growing food and selling it for a profit, but not much of one. Some are subsidized by government programs and some are selling at such a little profit that they will soon have to give up farming because, as a business, it is not sustainable. Still, I am grateful to both groups.
My family and friends, especially my wife, daughter, father and oldest friend, Randy, give my life an immeasurable richness. Some of them come to my old house for Thanksgiving dinner, which I attempt to cook some of, in a tolerably edible way. We talk, laugh, set the table, light candles, watch football, cook, eat, clean, and sit for hours. It is all quite wonderfully exhausting. I am very fortunate and work very hard (along with my wife) for a large, 97 year old burnt orange brick, three story house where we gather for this annual event. It is plenty spacious enough, but were it not, the holiday dinner would still be as nice. For all of this, I am grateful to everyone involved, including myself and the various banks that occasionally loan money to me. That also means I am grateful to all the people who keep their money in those banks.
It is always in the back of my mind that billions of people live very primitive and, to most Americans, poverty stricken lives. They can afford very little, most do not own their houses, if houses they live in, and many do not get enough to eat, ever. This puts me in mind that American people can contribute some of their wealth to those in need. Many do just that. I am thankful to them for this.

Obama at UC Nippert Sunday night

For anyone undecided about which Presidential candidate to vote for, visit the University of Cincinnati, Sunday evening, 9pm to see Barack Obama, in person.

Blogger for Obama

Don't assume Obama will win on Tuesday because he is so far ahead in the polls. Show up and vote for Obama/Biden if you haven't voted, already. Not only does he represent Hope for America, he represents hope for the future. The U.S.A. is headed for continued steep decline if McCain steals the election. Bring back principle and morality to government ( I hope!).

One of the attractions of Italy are the beautiful landscape of Tuscany. This is a view of a place called Pietra Fitta, near San Gimignano.

Piazza San Marco

Millions will see Piazza San Marco in their lifetime. It is the one place you go to in Venice. The pigeons are horrible, the crowds are just as bad, but, as you can see, this is not Vegas, it's the real magilla. Go. You have to see it in person, once.

This I Believe-Draft

I believe it is possible to be a morally responsible, ethical, truthful, contributing member of American society (such as it is), without believing in myths. There is nothing wrong with buying into scientifically verified, evidence based, ideas. One can even raise decent, well-behaved, wonderful children who grown into even better adults. The children can even disagree with their myth-disbelieving parents.

I believe it is possible for the people of the world to get closer to living in peace without believing that myths are reality and expecting their neighbors to believe in the same myth. Living without myth (as much as possible) is the next stage of development for mankind, and the sooner we begin the better off the world will be.