Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Today we celebrate a uniquely North American holiday steeped in tradition — a holiday that began centuries ago as a simple harvest celebration in colonies like Massachusetts and Virginia, and is now a day when millions of families across this continent come together to share a meal and count blessings.
We at NPI hope today is a day of peace and joy for you and your family.
From President Obama’s Thanksgiving proclamation:
Though our traditions have evolved, the spirit of grace and humility at the heart of Thanksgiving has persisted through every chapter of our story. When President George Washington proclaimed our country’s first Thanksgiving, he praised a generous and knowing God for shepherding our young Republic through its uncertain beginnings. Decades later, President Abraham Lincoln looked to the divine to protect those who had known the worst of civil war, and to restore the Nation “to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.”
In times of adversity and times of plenty, we have lifted our hearts by giving humble thanks for the blessings we have received and for those who bring meaning to our lives. Today, let us offer gratitude to our men and women in uniform for their many sacrifices, and keep in our thoughts the families who save an empty seat at the table for a loved one stationed in harm’s way. And as members of our American family make do with less, let us rededicate ourselves to our friends and fellow citizens in need of a helping hand.
Here are some of the things we’re thankful for:
- We’re thankful that voters defeated Tim Eyman’s I‑1125, which would have jeopardized important transportation projects like the new Evergreen Point Floating Bridge and Sound Transit’s East Link light rail.
- We’re thankful that two reform-minded education activists, Sharon Peaslee and Marty McLaren, will be joining the board of Seattle Public Schools in December, replacing incumbents Peter Maier and Steve Sundquist.
- We’re thankful that Bellevue Collection owner Kemper Freeman, Jr. failed to knock out Bellevue City Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and John Chelminak with dishonest attack mailers.
- We’re thankful that progressive activist John Stokes remains ahead of Aaron Laing in the contest for Position #1, an open seat.
- We’re thankful for Current TV, the cable network co-founded by Al Gore, which is now the home of Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Current will be adding two great new shows within the next few weeks: The Young Turks with Cenk Ugyur, and The War Room, with Jennifer Granholm.
- We’re thankful that we have an amazing, articulate champion for working families in Elizabeth Warren — who is now speaking truth to power as a candidate for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts.
- We’re thankful that Oregon Senator Ron Wyden stands prepared to lead a filibuster against a terrible bill moving through Congress that would destroy the Internet as we know it. (Learn more about SOPA and PROTECT IP).
- We’re thankful for the Occupy movement, which has sparked a much-needed conversation about corporate power in the United States as well as around the world… and inspired people to move their money away from Wall Street banks to credit unions and community banks.
Finally, we’re thankful for all of the wonderful supporters who joined us at our two major events this year: our Spring Fundraising Gala at the Mercer Island Community Center, and NPI’s FallFest at Newmark Tower in Seattle.
Our donors make the work we do possible, and we are very grateful to every progressive who has helped sustain our projects and research.
Again, Happy Thanksgiving to all.
One Comment
Happy Thanksgiving to you also Andrew. I had heard about Cenk coming to Current but the War room with former governor Granholm was great new news for me. I’ve found Ms. Granholm to be informative, decisive, insightful and a clear voice for democratic values. It’s just outstanding to finally see the beginnings of an effective media counter to the right wing conservative nonsense.