Dubya declares Thanksgiving Day a "National Day of Thanksgiving"
November 17, 2001 11:46 AM Subscribe
Dubya declares Thanksgiving Day a "National Day of Thanksgiving"
WTF??? Aren't there more important things going on? Like, isn't Thanksgiving Day already a "National Day of Thanksgiving"? Did Vlad bring over some Siberian sinsemilia this past week, and Dubya's just extra-loopy? Am I missing something here? Why not just declare September 11th a national holiday instead?
WTF??? Aren't there more important things going on? Like, isn't Thanksgiving Day already a "National Day of Thanksgiving"? Did Vlad bring over some Siberian sinsemilia this past week, and Dubya's just extra-loopy? Am I missing something here? Why not just declare September 11th a national holiday instead?
My vote is for "exotic breakfast day". The K family will celebrate with kiwifruit blintzes and coconut milk-filled chocolate replicas of Burl Ives, but only "young Burl" not "old Burl" when he got all puffy.
posted by Kafkaesque at 12:02 PM on November 17, 2001
posted by Kafkaesque at 12:02 PM on November 17, 2001
Well, you see blackholebrain, it was international before and this year the President doesn't freakin' feel like sharing, OK? :)
Gotta love that second link, too. My, don't they look gay? Which would explain a lot, if indeed it isn't drugs or someone falling off the Omsk-to-Tomsk vodka wagon.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 12:06 PM on November 17, 2001
Gotta love that second link, too. My, don't they look gay? Which would explain a lot, if indeed it isn't drugs or someone falling off the Omsk-to-Tomsk vodka wagon.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 12:06 PM on November 17, 2001
I feel so warm and fuzzy knowing that George II cares about me and my family.
I can't wait to see the next photo of him in a cowboy hat.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 12:06 PM on November 17, 2001
I can't wait to see the next photo of him in a cowboy hat.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 12:06 PM on November 17, 2001
Um... well you see folks... Thanksgiving may be a tradition in the US, but it's not actually an annual holiday (honest!) in the strictest sense -- it doesn't have "tenure" or anything.
It just so happens that every year, the President of the US declares a special Day of Thanksgiving. Modern presidents (and I can't remember if it started with Lincoln, or with one of the presidents in the early 1900s) have traditionally declared it to be on the fourth Thursday of November... but earlier presidents chose days fairly randomly, and some just chose to skip it.
The first Thanksgiving, of course, happened in June (29 June 1621 if I recall).
I don't expect that non-US citizens would have known that... but I would have thought that the adult US citizens among us might have noticed that every year this happens.
posted by silusGROK at 12:21 PM on November 17, 2001
It just so happens that every year, the President of the US declares a special Day of Thanksgiving. Modern presidents (and I can't remember if it started with Lincoln, or with one of the presidents in the early 1900s) have traditionally declared it to be on the fourth Thursday of November... but earlier presidents chose days fairly randomly, and some just chose to skip it.
The first Thanksgiving, of course, happened in June (29 June 1621 if I recall).
I don't expect that non-US citizens would have known that... but I would have thought that the adult US citizens among us might have noticed that every year this happens.
posted by silusGROK at 12:21 PM on November 17, 2001
It's good to know he's taking the hard line on issues like Thanksgiving. It's really time someone stood up and said, (I paraphrase) "Thanksgiving is a good thing. It's a day for giving thanks. Celebrate it."
posted by Hildago at 12:28 PM on November 17, 2001
posted by Hildago at 12:28 PM on November 17, 2001
Plimoth-On-Web has an interesting page on the menu on the Plimoth Thanksgiving meal, as well as a list of alternate dates for the "first" Thanksgiving.
posted by jazon at 12:45 PM on November 17, 2001
posted by jazon at 12:45 PM on November 17, 2001
"Our Harvest gotten in, our governor sent for men on fowling, that we might after special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. The four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of plenty."
Edward Winslow, 1621
According to THE TIMES OF THEIR LIVES : Life, Love and Death in the Plymouth Colony, by James Deets and Patricia Scott Deets, that's the only written record of the first Thanksgiving. Harvest time on Cape Cod in Massachusettes is most definitely not in June... though, it was probably more like late September / Early October.
posted by crunchland at 12:46 PM on November 17, 2001
Edward Winslow, 1621
According to THE TIMES OF THEIR LIVES : Life, Love and Death in the Plymouth Colony, by James Deets and Patricia Scott Deets, that's the only written record of the first Thanksgiving. Harvest time on Cape Cod in Massachusettes is most definitely not in June... though, it was probably more like late September / Early October.
posted by crunchland at 12:46 PM on November 17, 2001
And this brings to mind the time when, close to Thanksgiving, the president of a university I taught at asked the visiting great writer and Holocaust survivor (author of Night), Eli Wiesel--I was standing beside the two of them--if Jews celebrated thanksgiving. Poor Wiesel. I forget now how he responded but I sure recall the look on his face .
posted by Postroad at 12:58 PM on November 17, 2001
posted by Postroad at 12:58 PM on November 17, 2001
What you're missing is that the President proclaims Thanksgiving every year. Here are Clinton's Thanksgiving Proclamations from 2000, 1999, and 1998, for example. This is just part of the ceremony attached to the office.
posted by raymondc at 1:05 PM on November 17, 2001
posted by raymondc at 1:05 PM on November 17, 2001
My vote is for "exotic breakfast day".
I'm writing in for "Erotic breakfast day"... were I sit around in my drawers eating doughnuts (yes, hot ones... soooo so hot) and sratching myself.
Mmmmm.....
posted by hotdoughnutsnow at 1:08 PM on November 17, 2001
I'm writing in for "Erotic breakfast day"... were I sit around in my drawers eating doughnuts (yes, hot ones... soooo so hot) and sratching myself.
Mmmmm.....
posted by hotdoughnutsnow at 1:08 PM on November 17, 2001
I'm guessing that the President had a chance to read the Peggy Noonan article comparing him to Harry Truman, a different article from earlier in the week that considers his television appearances favorably with FDR's fireside chats, and the businessweek online story that refers to him as emulating Ronald Reagan.
In the proclamation, we are reminded of the words and actions of three other Presidents who faced times of war - Eisenhower, Washington, and Lincoln. We should be thankful that we can look to the successes and failures of our leaders of the past, to help guide us in the future.
posted by bragadocchio at 1:21 PM on November 17, 2001
In the proclamation, we are reminded of the words and actions of three other Presidents who faced times of war - Eisenhower, Washington, and Lincoln. We should be thankful that we can look to the successes and failures of our leaders of the past, to help guide us in the future.
posted by bragadocchio at 1:21 PM on November 17, 2001
I can't wait to see the next photo of him in a cowboy hat.
I bet that photo op truck has less than 10 miles on it.
Also, note the wheeee expression on GWB's face.
posted by BarneyFifesBullet at 1:22 PM on November 17, 2001
I bet that photo op truck has less than 10 miles on it.
Also, note the wheeee expression on GWB's face.
posted by BarneyFifesBullet at 1:22 PM on November 17, 2001
City of New York, October 3, 1789
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness..."
Full text of Washington's first Thanksgiving proclamation.
posted by gd779 at 1:25 PM on November 17, 2001
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness..."
Full text of Washington's first Thanksgiving proclamation.
posted by gd779 at 1:25 PM on November 17, 2001
I very much doubt bush actualy wrote this, probably some low level intern or something. Anyway, I don't see why you should be ripping on dubya for this in particular, since all presidents do it.
posted by delmoi at 1:33 PM on November 17, 2001
posted by delmoi at 1:33 PM on November 17, 2001
were I sit around in my drawers eating doughnuts...and sratching myself.
Well, thanks for spoiling *my* erotic breakfast with that mental image...
posted by MrBaliHai at 2:38 PM on November 17, 2001
Well, thanks for spoiling *my* erotic breakfast with that mental image...
posted by MrBaliHai at 2:38 PM on November 17, 2001
i hope bush doesn't pardon this year's turkey. that'll show those evil-doers that nobody gets any mercy.
posted by panopticon at 2:47 PM on November 17, 2001
posted by panopticon at 2:47 PM on November 17, 2001
I never understood pardoning a turkey. What did the turkey do that is illegal? Or is just being a turkey a crime? And if so, should George W Bush not pardon himself?
posted by benjh at 3:25 PM on November 17, 2001
posted by benjh at 3:25 PM on November 17, 2001
My, don't they look gay? Which would explain a lot
...what would it explain?
Or is just being a turkey a crime?
NO! And I say it's time for turkeys to stand up and say "being a turkey is not a crime!"
posted by rodii at 3:50 PM on November 17, 2001
...what would it explain?
Or is just being a turkey a crime?
NO! And I say it's time for turkeys to stand up and say "being a turkey is not a crime!"
posted by rodii at 3:50 PM on November 17, 2001
I fbeing a tasty Thanksgiving treat that's delicious for days to come on samiches across this great nation...then HELL YES they're guilty!
String 'em up I say!
posted by Kafkaesque at 3:59 PM on November 17, 2001
String 'em up I say!
posted by Kafkaesque at 3:59 PM on November 17, 2001
Indeed this is a Presidential Thanksgiving tradition. The press release said a little more than what was implied.
Glad to see we're still twisting words and bending facts, looking for every slight opportunity to project the image of a bumbling dimwit on our President. I guess you hoped no one would actually read the article that was linked, and instead were anticipating a load of "Yeah, what a blockhead!" remarks.
posted by tomorama at 5:11 PM on November 17, 2001
Glad to see we're still twisting words and bending facts, looking for every slight opportunity to project the image of a bumbling dimwit on our President. I guess you hoped no one would actually read the article that was linked, and instead were anticipating a load of "Yeah, what a blockhead!" remarks.
posted by tomorama at 5:11 PM on November 17, 2001
I dunno if we were making fun of him for being stupid, or for the redundancy of the action. I guess it all comes out to the same thing in the end. Naturally, it's not his fault that he has to do something so ridiculous.
But let's face it, we would have celebrated Thanksgiving with or without this official proclamation. Why not just put it on the books, once and for all? It's not like we're all going to forget the "true meaning of thanksgiving" without a presidential reaffirmation, or, for that matter, if we did forget it, that Bush would inspire us to regain that spirit.
There's also the fact that while Thanksgiving has become a pretty non-denominational holiday, his speech chose to focus on the Christian history of the celebration at a time when a less condescending message would have been appreciated.
posted by Hildago at 7:25 PM on November 17, 2001
But let's face it, we would have celebrated Thanksgiving with or without this official proclamation. Why not just put it on the books, once and for all? It's not like we're all going to forget the "true meaning of thanksgiving" without a presidential reaffirmation, or, for that matter, if we did forget it, that Bush would inspire us to regain that spirit.
There's also the fact that while Thanksgiving has become a pretty non-denominational holiday, his speech chose to focus on the Christian history of the celebration at a time when a less condescending message would have been appreciated.
posted by Hildago at 7:25 PM on November 17, 2001
tomorama: "...twisting words and bending facts, looking for every slight opportunity to project the image of a bumbling dimwit on our President"
Lol... ok, considering that I have a very dark and twisted sense of humor --well-- that'd be me! [hence the name "blackholebrain"] Of course, one doesn't have to look very hard with Dubya...
But anyway, so maybe I was just having fun, ignoring the fact that the President does this each year ---- but damn, I feel sorry for all you sourpusses who can't have a little fun. After all, this is 'Metafilter'... petri dish for *Kaycee* and other notoriously mindless concoctions. You people need to lighten up... but hey, at least you keep the 'filter' working as it should!
I do apreesh all the genuine historical info and links -- you see, even cynics like me can learn something!
>;]
posted by blackholebrain at 8:51 PM on November 17, 2001
Lol... ok, considering that I have a very dark and twisted sense of humor --well-- that'd be me! [hence the name "blackholebrain"] Of course, one doesn't have to look very hard with Dubya...
But anyway, so maybe I was just having fun, ignoring the fact that the President does this each year ---- but damn, I feel sorry for all you sourpusses who can't have a little fun. After all, this is 'Metafilter'... petri dish for *Kaycee* and other notoriously mindless concoctions. You people need to lighten up... but hey, at least you keep the 'filter' working as it should!
I do apreesh all the genuine historical info and links -- you see, even cynics like me can learn something!
>;]
posted by blackholebrain at 8:51 PM on November 17, 2001
Dubya declares Thanksgiving Day a "National Day of Thanksgiving"
Gets my vote for funniest line from a Front Page Post this year.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:01 PM on November 17, 2001
Gets my vote for funniest line from a Front Page Post this year.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:01 PM on November 17, 2001
i literally laughed out loud. don't understand the 'filter' enuff to say whether that qualifies it as a legit post by itself tho. reality seems to be a pretty important quality too.
posted by danOstuporStar at 11:07 PM on November 17, 2001
posted by danOstuporStar at 11:07 PM on November 17, 2001
Does it terrify anyone else that the man with his finger on the Red Button drives a pickup truck?
posted by poorhaus at 1:49 PM on November 18, 2001
posted by poorhaus at 1:49 PM on November 18, 2001
It does look like Putin is giving Bush some manual pleasure. Consider that with quotes like this:
``You're the kind of guy I'd like to have in a foxhole with me,'' Bush told Putin in their Oval office meeting, according to a senior U.S. official."
Not that there's anything wrong with that....
posted by adampsyche at 2:38 PM on November 18, 2001
``You're the kind of guy I'd like to have in a foxhole with me,'' Bush told Putin in their Oval office meeting, according to a senior U.S. official."
Not that there's anything wrong with that....
posted by adampsyche at 2:38 PM on November 18, 2001
Does it terrify anyone else that the man with his finger on the Red Button drives a pickup truck?
Yeah! Because the truck might develop psychic powers, and take over his mind, forcing the President to nuke the USA!
Of course, if I was president, I'd be driving a schoolbus. Because it'd be cool to have all those little windows.
posted by Jart at 9:23 AM on November 19, 2001
Yeah! Because the truck might develop psychic powers, and take over his mind, forcing the President to nuke the USA!
Of course, if I was president, I'd be driving a schoolbus. Because it'd be cool to have all those little windows.
posted by Jart at 9:23 AM on November 19, 2001
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posted by panopticon at 11:55 AM on November 17, 2001