Courtesy of the
Brody File:
On Thanksgiving, my family’s traditions will reflect the loyal, active, robust, big family life that shaped me. We’re so fortunate to be together to share the making of another year’s memory. In these late autumn days with temperatures dipping to 20-degrees below zero, we’ll brave Alaska’s biting cold to run and skate and ride – just because we can, and for that I am so thankful. Life in America’s Last Frontier is not an easy living, but it’s a good living. (Especially when you have millions of dollars at your disposal.)
Here in Alaska, where I’m never without inspiration, an optimistic pioneering spirit still permeates, and harsh conditions force us out of self-centeredness and towards community – often in order to survive.
This need for selflessness – and the blessings that come with it – sharpened for me almost four years ago when I was given the gift of broader horizons, clarified priorities, and more commitment to justice and compassion for my fellow man who faces challenges and fears. I was granted this through a gift that arrived in a tiny, six-pound, awe-inspiring bundle. (That apparently arrived via Fed-ex.)
We named him Trig.
I know America’s potential for goodness, thus greatness, because I see it every day through my son.(She must mean Track the son who signed up for the military to stay out of jail. Serious patriotism there!)
Nothing makes me happier or prouder than to see America’s good heart when someone smiles at my Trig. (Oh she means Trig. Well that was my second choice.)
I notice it happens often in airports. Often a traveler passing by does a double-take when they see him, perhaps curious about the curious look on his face; perhaps my son momentarily exercises an uncontrollable motion (Like punching me in the head.)
that takes the passerby by surprise. Perhaps, as an innocent and candid child announced when she first met Trig, they think “he’s awkward.” But when that traveler pauses to look again and smile, and maybe tells me what a handsome boy I have, I swell with American pride. ("American pride" is so much better than that common everyday pride don'tcha know?)
I am so thankful for their good heart. They represent the best in our country and their kindness shows the real hope we need today. (Because they smiled at a toddler?)
I am thankful that, as in so many areas of life, the bitter people who say bitter things about someone facing challenges are so outnumbered. There have been stinging criticisms, even from people still screaming that Trig should never have been born, (Okay seriously WHO is doing that?)
but we know those critics may be the loudest and most malicious, but they’re not the majority.
To me, when individuals reflect the greater societal acceptance of someone facing challenges, they show the best of humanity – even by offering a simple pat on Trig’s head or a knowing smile shot our way. Conversely, when a society works to eliminate the “weakest links” (as some would callously consider the disabled) or “the unproductive”(as some would callously consider the very young and the very old), it eliminates the very best of itself. When a society seeks to destroy them, it also destroys any ability or need for sincere compassion, empathy, improvement, and even goodwill. And those are the very best qualities of humanity! (Didn't she JUST describe the Republican party?)
Those are the characteristics of a country that understands and embraces true hope! America can be compassionate and strong enough as a nation to be entrusted with those who some see as an “inconvenience,” but who are really our greatest blessings. Through Trig, I see firsthand that there is man’s standard of perfection, and then there is God’s. Man’s standard is flawed, temporary, and shallow. God’s standard lasts an eternity. At the end of the day, His is what matters. (I would be remiss if I did not mention at this point that the services which provide for children like Trig are in large part the product of progressives creating programs to care for their needs. The Republicans, like Newt Gingrich, would gladly
roll back child labor laws and get those lazy third graders off their ass and back in the sweat shop where they belong.)
So, this Thanksgiving my family will bundle Trig up and grin while we watch him through ice-frosted eyelashes as he curiously takes in all that is around him in the crisp open air. I hope your Thanksgiving gives you the opportunity to find that reminder of what really matters, too. For me, my perfect picture of thankfulness is my perfectly awesome son. With him, all is well with my soul and I know I am blessed. (Hang on, I think I'm gagging to death.)
You know believe it or not I think Palin just MIGHT have written this on her own. Or had only minimal help, because it really sucks.
So apparently it is time to trot out the favorite Palin political/sympathy prop in order to receive some reflected glory since virtually NOBODY is paying any attention to Palin these days. (By the way Trig is perhaps the most mythological creature in Alaska. I understand that there have been more sightings of the Bigfoot in Wasilla, than Trig Paxson Van Palin.)
Clearly Palin is feeling very ignored lately and is chumming the waters with her sure fire attention catching bait, the extra chromosome kid himself, Trig Palin. However as you see she is only willing to have somebody WRITE about her devotion to him, and is unable, or unwilling, to attempt to demonstrate that devotion before the prying eyes of the public. In large part, I understand, because Trig has become an uncooperative handful that the Mama Grizzly is no longer able to parent effectively. She simply cannot risk people seeing her "perfectly awesome son" defy her, or even hit her, in public.
So now we have had a mass produced
thank you note, and this emotionally manipulative Thanksgiving message issued from the "Sanctum Sanitarium" in order to remind her dwindling flying monkeys that she is still relevant. And nothing says "I'm relevant" like hiding in a dark house by a lake in the woods and sending out form letters. Am I right?
By the way, since we are again talking about Sister Sarah, I guess this post would be as good of a place as any to give you a heads up on what took place at the
Alaska premiere of Sarah Palin's propaganda movie.
I have NO freaking idea.
Once I realized I could not go, I tried to talk a few people into going in my place, but nobody would even consider it. So then I thought that surely ONE of the Alaska based websites or newspapers would have somebody there, but no not a word.
Hell even the Sea O'Pee had nothing to report.
So as of this writing I have no idea how many people showed up, what they thought of the fetid piece of crap, or even if the premiere actually even took place.
If I do find out anything I will provide an update, but as of right now I feel pretty confident in saying that it probably stank up the place, like everything else associated with Palin. Though I have to wonder if there was even anybody there to catch a whiff?
