From today's Daily News:In the autumn of 1621, the pilgrims of the nascent Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, along with scores of Native Americans, gathered to celebrate a successful harvest with a feast that was to be considered this nation's first Thanksgiving. In the words of the governor of the colony, William Bradford:
"They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports."
A nation blessed: America's day of thanks
Here was the start of the enduring sense, through war and peace, Depression and prosperity, that we in the land that became the United States of America have so much to be thankful for.
26 comments:
Thanksgiving is a typically AMERICAN holiday. In spite of its religious form (giving thanks to God for a good harvest), its essential, secular meaning is a CELEBRATION OF SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION. It is a producers' holiday. The lavish meal is a symbol of the fact that abundant consumption is the result and reward of production. Abundance is (or was and ought to be) America's pride - just as it is the pride of American parents that their children need never know starvation. - Ayn Rand
Production is the application of reason to the problem of survival. - Ayn Rand
Ironic and amusing that Ayn Rand is quoted on an anti-development blog.
"Ironic and amusing that Ayn Rand is quoted on an anti-development blog."
Sure, one of those marvelous mysteries of American democracy. Unlike the official sources, anyone can comment. No one is afraid of anyone in this forum.
Even developers are welcome here. All one needs to do is state, and be able to defend, one's position.
Its called Freedom.
well its sure to hell not called astorians.com!
ok ok ok
this is a holiday. a fun time. be upbeat.
The Crapper is not anti-development. He is anti C-R-A-P. He engages in artistic sensibility - un veritable bel esprit de l'architecture. Ein baukuenstliche Schoengeist.
As expected Dailey News gives us the PC suger coated version.
The problem with this story is that "The harvest of 1621 was not bountiful, nor were the colonists hardworking or tenacious. 1621 was a famine year and many of the colonists were lazy thieves."
In his "History of Plymouth Plantation," William Bradford reported that the colonists went hungry for years because they refused to work in the fields, preferring instead to steal.
It wasnt till 1623 they got it right
Anyway have a happy !
Facts:
www.geoffmetcalf.com/firsttday_19991126.html
Joe -
"the colonists went hungry for years because they refused to work in the fields, preferring instead to steal."
Thanks for the quote.
And to add to it a bit, the problem they had was that they were required to behave in a communal way, no personal property! All lands were shared, all crops shared equally.
Sort of a 1600s version of "Spread the wealth".
It was not till they switched to a capitalistic arrangement did they finally prosper.
Sadly we never seem to learn.
Thanks Crappy, for posting this short but excellent description of Thanksgiving.
I’m Amazed how much false and biased jaundic reporting the Dailey News can fart out yet the public takes it a word in stone.
I guess Rosie O'Donnel was right !
"As long as the suits keeps feeding people sh*t they will think its a great meal"
Look at your cheap field camera realiety entertainment that originated in Europe now on Prime Time TV in America.
Its all scripted by BBC Producers and contestants with SAG cards, CSA members, BMI and ASCAP publishing holders with interest in the shows.
(This way they can pretend they dont know each other)
Record a show then read the credits on slow motion then look it all up.
You mays as watch WWF Wresteling to Lou Albano and bad 70's pop music.
-Joe
Joe it has a lot to do with a very poor education system, or atleast the results of that education system. The dumber the population the more gullible they are.
ew-3
Make no mistake, Crapper is agains any development. Crapper also censors comments on this board based on whether Crapper agrees with the views expressed, contrary to Miles' assertion above.
What "good" development has Crapper criticized?
What development has Crapper supported?
Sounds like you don't understand the theme of the blog.
Make no mistake, Crapper is agains any development. Crapper also censors comments on this board based on whether Crapper agrees with the views expressed, contrary to Miles' assertion above.
(posted by one of the mods from astorians.com - the clubhouse mouthpiece in cyberspace)
**Make no mistake, Crapper is agains any development. Crapper also censors comments on this board based on whether Crapper agrees with the views expressed, contrary to Miles' assertion above.
NO that does not happen.If so point the exact post and comment.
What the hell does Ayn Rand have to do with thankgiving.Some major Ayn Rand lovers are on Wall Street.
> Testifying before Congress yesterday, [Alan] Greenspan pinned the crisis on mortgage securitizers, risk modelers and lending institutions, thus contributing to the Washington narrative that government had little to do with it. The Fed's monetary policy apparently gets a pass. The media and Members of Congress will use Mr. Greenspan's testimony to impugn the very free market principles that the former Ayn Rand protégé has spent his life promoting. It was a painful spectacle to watch.
Ayn Rand must be smiling in her capitalist Valhalla as she watches her vicar on earth, Alan Greenspan, run to the bank with his millions in earnings from books, lectures and consulting fees.
While Alan Greenspan's Fed shouldn't be blamed for keeping rates low for too long (would we really have wanted slower growth these last five years?), it did ignore its responsibilities to regulate predatory lending. (Too much Ayn Rand and not enough FDR.)
People try to spell correctly.Dont be afraid to look up a word.Thats what they taught us in school kids.
Alan Greenspan was excommunicated from the Objectivist movement when he became head of the Federal Reserve in 1987.
Alan Greenspan was an apostate Objectivist.
FDR brought the country out of the Great Depression with the largest government expediture to that date: WWII. Fact: all the "New Deal" programs amounted to nothing more than a hill of beans.
WOW, arent you a fool!Your religion is capitalism. :all the "New Deal" programs amounted to nothing more than a hill of beans.
Really?
FDR inaugurated the 32nd president of the U.S. M
arch 5
FDR issues a proclamation declaring a four-day "bank holiday" throughout the nation effective March 6. All banking transactions stop and embargo on exportation of gold, silver, and currency. Summons Congress to special session for March 9.
March 9-June 16
"Hundred Days" session FDR gets a willing Congress to enact many of the New Deal programs. This first day Congress passes the Emergency Banking Act, giving FDR broad powers over banks and foreign exchange. Bank holiday ends March 10--banks can reopen when they prove that they are solvent. Within three days, 1000 banks will reopen and national confidence picks up.
March 12
FDR gives first "fireside chat".
March 31
Congress passes the Reforestation Relief Act, establishing the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC); it provides work immediately for 250,000 young men (18-25) in reforestation, road construction and developing national parks. Work camps begin to spring up. By the time it eases in 1941, two million people have worked on its projects.
April 19
FDR takes the nation off of the gold standard.
May 12
Congress passes the Federal Emergency Relief Act, which authorizes immediate grants to states for relief projects. Unemployment has reached 14 million-over one quarter of the nation's work force.
Roosevelt signs the Agricultural Adjustment Act to provide immediate relief to farmers by setting prices for agricultural products and paying subsidies to farmers for curtailing production of certain crops that were in surplus.
May 18
Congress establishes the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to construct dams and power plants along the Tennessee Valley; electricity will go to residents, many of whom lacked it previously, and fertilizer will be sold.
May 27
Congress passes the Federal Securities Act to monitor and regulate stocks and bonds.
June 6
Congress passes the National Employment System Act.
June 13
Congress passes the Home Owners Refinancing Act to provide mortgage money and other aid to homeowners. It will go out of business in June 1936 after providing loans for some one million mortgages.
June 16
The final day of the "Hundred Days" session. Congress passes the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) establishing the Public Works Administration (PWA) and the National Recovery Administration (NRA).
The PWA is authorized to supervise the construction of roads, public buildings and other projects while providing employment. Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes is tapped to head the PWA.
The NRA's goal is to stimulate competition and benefit producers and consumers by implementing various codes to establish fair trade. Compliance was to be voluntary; those who cooperate received the blue eagle "seal of approval." NRA is to be directed by General Hugh Johnson. It will be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in May 1935.
Congress also passes the Farm Credit Act and the Banking Act of 1933 (which establishes FDIC).
August 5
FDR establishes by executive order, the National Labor Board to enforce the right of collective bargaining.
November 8
FDR establishes by executive order the Civil Works Administration (CWA) to provide work for some four million unemployed over the winter months. It ceases operation in March 1934.
December 5
The 21st Amendment goes into effect, repealing the 18th Amendment and ending prohibition.
1934
January 4
In his annual message to Congress, FDR asks for ten and a half billion dollars to advance recovery programs over the next 18 months.
January 30
Congress passes the Gold Reserve Act in order to give government control over fluctuations in the value of the dollar.
January 31
Roosevelt signs the Farm Mortgage Refinancing Act to assist farmers in refinancing their mortgages.
February 2
Roosevelt establishes by executive order the Import-Export Bank of Washington to encourage commerce between the U.S. and foreign nations.
February 15
Congress passes the Civil Works Emergency Relief Administration to run new programs.
February 23
Congress passes the Crop Loan Act, which continues the Farm Credit Administration, providing loans to farmers based on crop production and harvesting.
April 7
Congress passes the Jones-Connally Farm Relief Act to extend the number of agricultural products to be controlled by the AAA.
April 21
Congress passes the Cotton Control Act, imposing quotas limiting the cotton production of various areas and individuals.
May 9
Jones-Costigan Act authorizes controls on both cane and beat sugar as well as sugar imports.
June 6
Roosevelt passes the Securities Exchange Act, establishing the SEC to regulate security transactions. First chairman is Joseph Kennedy.
June 7
Congress passes Corporate Bankruptcy Act, allowing a corporation facing bankruptcy to reorganize if 2/3 of its creditors agree.
June 12
Farm Mortgage Foreclosure Act allowing loans to farmers to recover property lost to foreclosure.
June 19
Silver Purchase Act Establishes National Labor Relations Board to replace the NLB.
June 28
National Housing Act establishing the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure loans for construction, renovation or repairs of homes.
Taylor Grazing Act setting aside some 8 million acres of public land for grazing.
Tobacco Control Act sets mandatory quotas limiting production.
Federal Farm Bankruptcy Act placing a moratorium on farm mortgage foreclosures.
1935
January 4
Roosevelt delivers annual message to Congress effectively beginning phase two of the New Deal. Proposes long-term goals of providing for social security for aged, ill and unemployed, better housing and tax reform.
April 8
Emergency Relief Appropriation Act authorizing almost five billion for immediate relief and increased employment on "useful projects," one of which is the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
May 1
FDR establishes the Resettlement Administration (RA) to help farm families relocate and furnish them with loans and new projects.
May 6
The WPA begins. It will build thousands of roads, public buildings, parks and bridges and provide employment for artists, musicians, actors and writers.
May 11
FDR establishes the Rural Electrification Administration to help bring electricity to areas previously where it was previously unavailable.
May 27
Supreme Court rules unanimously in Schecter Poultry Corp. v. United States that the NIRA of 1933 was unconstitutional. A major setback to the New Deal, it is the first of many Supreme Court decisions that will go against FDR and lead to his court-packing proposal of 1937.
July 5
FDR signs the National labor Relations Act (Wagner-Connery). Upheld as constitutional by Supreme Court in March 1937.
August 14
FDR signs the Social Security Act guaranteeing pensions to those retiring at 65 with contributions from both employees and employers. Also provides financial aid to dependent children and blind people and establishes a system of unemployment insurance. Video (courtesy Social Security Administraion)
August 23
Congress passes the Banking Act of 1935 that revises the operation of the Federal Reserve System, generally making banks more responsible and responsive to the public.
August 26
FDR signs the Public Utilities Act giving federal agencies new powers of regulating the gas and electric companies.
Oh "atheist".Bush brought us back on the gold standard now.Rand is the darling of the Wall street journal.It sounds good on paper but its used to manipulate people who fall for crumbs of barely any real private property and the "safe" free market.Have you loved nothing recently George?Check out the Randex on the Wall st Journal.
Anonymous ("Ridgewoodian"?). You end your litany of "New Deal" dates to mid-1935. The fact is unemployment remained high - high -until WWII.
The "New Deal" programs were essentially smoke and mirrors.
Anonymous FDR sycophant -
As late as the year before Pearl Harbor unemployment was still about 17%. That was after 7 full years of the "New Deal".
Fact is, while growing up in NYC my teachers tended to believe it was WWII that ended the economic crisis. So did my father. All of them having actually lived through it.
Curiously, recent research seems to back them up. See the UCLA paper by Harold L. Cole and Lee E. Ohanian regarding this topic.
In fact they believe his actions extended the problem by 7 years.
This research is supported by numerous other recent studies.
Like globull warming, certain ideas just seemed to get to be "accepted" without debate by the media and our education/indoctrination establishment.
Anonymous ("Ridgewoodian"?). You end your litany of "New Deal" dates to mid-1935. The fact is unemployment remained high - high -until WWII.
The "New Deal" programs were essentially smoke and mirrors.
OK???
Some like Ayn Rand like Wall Street cronies knowing how to take your money but you dont understand the nuances of that authors double speak.Maybe you want the debt of reagan on bush.Thats excellent for an economy isnt georgie the arm chair political scientist.You do know who is the school of thought on Wall Street do you??Are you empowered by Rands words or broke like the whole country.Time to be recalled.Highway department there buddy??Ah, you dont get it.You liked to be lied to
By contrast, the heroes in “Atlas Shrugged” are businessmen — and women. Rand imbues them with heroic, larger-than-life stature in the Romantic mold, for their courage, integrity and ability to create wealth. They are not the exploiters but the exploited: victims of parasites and predators who want to wrap the producers in regulatory chains and expropriate their wealth.
Rand’s perspective is a welcome relief to people who more often see themselves portrayed as the bad guys, and so it is no wonder it has such enthusiastic fans in the upper echelons of business as Ed Snider (Comcast Spectacor, Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers), Fred Smith (Federal Express), John Mackey (Whole Foods), John A. Allison (BB&T), and Kevin O’Connor (DoubleClick) — not to mention thousands of others who pursue careers at every level in the private sector.
Yet the deeper reasons why the novel has proved so enduringly popular have to do with Rand’s moral defense of business and capitalism. Rejecting the centuries-old, and still conventional, piety that production and trade are just “materialistic,” she eloquently portrayed the spiritual heart of wealth creation through the lives of the characters now well known to many millions of readers.
As for the charge, from egalitarian left and religious right alike, that the profit motive is selfish, Rand agreed. She was notorious as the advocate of “the virtue of selfishness,” as she titled a later work. Her moral defense of the pursuit of self-interest, and her critique of self-sacrifice as a moral standard, is at the heart of the novel. At the same time, she provides a scathing portrait of what she calls “the aristocracy of pull”: businessmen who scheme, lie and bribe to win favors from government.
Economists have also known for a long time that trade is a positive sum game, yet most defenders of capitalism still wrestle with the “paradox” posed in the 18th century by Adam Ferguson and Adam Smith: how private vice can produce public good, how the pursuit of self-interest yields benefits for all. Rand cut that Gordian knot in the novel by denying that the pursuit of self-interest is a vice. Precisely because trade is not a zero-sum game, Rand challenges the age-old moral view that one must be either a giver or a taker.
OR a fool to believe this childish "economics" with big words.
Talk about comeplete nonsense to control the public.keep bailing out Wall Street.Exploitation is good right.
Et tu Anonymous? ("Ridgewoodian"?). An Objectivist at heart?
They should have let Chrysler go under. Indeed Lee Iacocca et alia ("aristocrats of pull") are to blame.
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