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Please do not use this blog to advertise your local events. This group is spread around the entire country, so your time would be better spent organizing in your local or regional groups.
Thanks.
11/27/09 By Geoff Ziezulewicz, Stars and Stripes, Mideast edition
COMBAT OUTPOST CHARKH, Afghanistan – In most ways, Thanksgiving Day started out just like every day for the men of Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment.
First Platoon greeted the sunny yet brisk morning air with a patrol through a local bazaar.
"It’s Thanksgiving," 1st Lt. Kevin Cory said to his men as they got ready to push out. "We’re thankful that it’s 9 a.m. and we’re cold."
Second platoon, to the bafflement of other soldiers, spent much of the day digging battle trenches for a class they were about to teach the Afghan National Army.
Like any other day, hot water for showers was in short supply; troops grumbled about a variety of things and made jokes about just how stoned on hashish their Afghan counterparts actually were.
Still, Cpl. Jason Huft of Clovis, N.M., had been preparing the holiday chow since the day before. And as the air warmed, T-bones sizzled on a grill fashioned out of a metal barrel.
Life isn’t easy at Combat Outpost Charkh in Logar province.
The showers are jury-rigged affairs. There’s no heat and wooden outhouses.
But despite this rough deployment and the longing that comes with being so close to going home, Thanksgiving came to COP Charkh.
Company commander Capt. Jason Wingeart pulled guard duty before serving chow with the other officers. At a base where most meals are basic, lukewarm affairs, soldiers dug into turkey, steak, ham, shrimp, macaroni and cheese and other holiday staples. It was the first time some had felt full in a long time.
"That was good as (expletive)," one soldier said to another after eating.
And despite the rough conditions, the soldiers said they had a lot to be thankful for. Mainly each other, and that they were all going home. Though there have been many injuries, the company has only lost one soldier in Charkh.
"I’m thankful that all my buddies are still alive and that I get to spend (Thanksgiving) with the guys to the left and right of me who watch my back every day," said 1st Platoon’s Spc. William Brown of Milwaukee. "And I’m thankful I’m leaving in two weeks."
"I’m thankful I didn’t get shot at today," said Pfc. Don Garab of Walkerton, Ind., of 3rd Platoon. "And for a good cigar."
"I’m thankful I’m not digging that foxhole anymore," said Spc. John McDermott, one of the unfortunate 2nd Platoon guys tasked with that most un-festive of duties.
"I’m thankful for ‘A cog’ scopes, M203’s and HEDP," 2nd Platoon’s Sgt. David Lloyd said, military-speak for his rifle scope, grenade launcher and ammunition. "They’ve saved our ass a lot."
Even Afghan army captain and battle-hardened ex-Mujahedeen fighter Capt. Raz Mohammad got a plate, eagerly digging into a mix of steak, greens and pie.
"It’s really good," he said between mouthfuls. "Everything I like."
Despite the grim conditions at COP Charkh, Sgt. Daniel Barsi of Utica, Ill., was thankful for his health and the security of America.
"The way I see things, everything could always be worse."
Meanwhile, in Washington, President Barack Obama telephoned 10 U.S. servicemen and women stationed in war zones Thursday, to thank them for their service.
The White House says Obama called two servicemembers each in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. The servicemembers are stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Arabian Gulf.
Doug asked me "What do people in Hawaii have for Thanksgiving?" I said that I would post the answer on CITA.
The seven inhabited islands that make up the state of Hawaii has as of 2005, an estimated population of 1,275,194 people. In 2008 the Census Bureau the breakdown of the population is that Asian Americans made up 38.5%, White Americans made up 27.1%, Multiracial Americans made up 21.4%, Pacific Islander Americans made up 9.0%, African Americans made up 2.4%, and American Indians made up 0.2% of the population.
When the immigrant workers came to Hawaii to work on the plantations they brought their language, customs and foods. The islands are pretty small so everyone has to get along. People had to learn each other's languages to get things accomplished. Today all the languages and customs are so intertwined that it is easy to get mixed up as to which word or custom is from which group. Pidgin English is a mix up of languages; in a sentence you might have Hawaiian, Japanese and Filipino words used all together. The Hawaiian and Japanese languages use the same sounds, like the word Hawaiian "Hemo" means to remove and I grew up thinking that it was a Japanese word. Now I have learned that African languages also have words that use the same sounds as Japanese and Hawaiian.
Peopled shared each other's foods and customs and again it all became intertwined. A Thanksgiving feast might have Hawaiian poke (seasoned raw fish), Japanese maki sushi (rice rolls with a filling and wrapped in a sheet of dried seaweed), a roast turkey with stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce, Chinese chicken salad, Korean kim chi, pumpkin pie and Hawaii Haupia (coconut pudding).
Hawaii is a pretty cool place cultural-wise. Rarely do you have locals who exclude the customs of the others. Everybody celebrates most of the holidays because it gives them another reason to party. Everybody is Chinese on Chinese New Year eating noodles for long life, Irish on St. Patrick's Day eating corned beef, etc.
I think that is partly President Obama's take on race and culture.
Holiday service: First family hands out food
11/26/09 POLITICO
The first family celebrated Thanksgiving by handing out turkeys, pumpkin pies, vegetables, stuffing and other Thanksgiving groceries Wednesday afternoon at Martha’s Table, just a few miles from the White House. According to its website, “Martha’s Table’s mission is to help at-risk children, youth, families and individuals in our community improve their lives by providing educational programs, food, clothing, and enrichment opportunities." President Obama, First Lady Michelle, daughters Sasha, Malia and First Grandmother Marian Robinson were joined by about a dozen others, including Obama half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng, her husband, Konrad Ng and their two daughters, Suhaila and Savita. Pool reports: ”Malia was wearing a vest over her top with a scarf around her neck; Mrs. Obama a grey top and a scrarf draped around her shoulders; Obama, his oft-seen black jacket and Mrs. Robinson, a dark top.”
President Barack Obama stands next to his mother-in-law Marian Robinson, right, his daughter, Sasha and first lady Michelle Obama as they packing food for Thanksgiving at Martha's Table. AP
This video says all I can think of.
http://www.youtube.com/user/divajc#p/u/14/28KppgdX4qc
Love and music,
Diva JC
In Celebration of the Pilgrims!!! Am so thankful for a adminstration that cares about that does what they say they are going to do with a sincere mind and heart!!!!
The White House- Office of the Press Secretary
November 25, 2009
Statement by the President on Native American Heritage Day
“Tomorrow, Americans everywhere will observe our National Day of Thanksgiving. It will be a time of celebration and reflection as we gather with family and friends to count our blessings and remember those less fortunate. But it will also be a time to remember how this holiday began– as a harvest celebration between European settlers and the American Indians who had been living and thriving on the continent for thousands of years.”
“That is why on Friday, I encourage every American to join me in observing Native American Heritage Day. My Administration is committed to strengthening the nation to nation relationship with tribal governments. But it is also important for all of us to understand the rich culture, tradition and history of Native Americans and their status today- and to appreciate the contributions that First Americans have made, and will continue to make to our Nation.”
Here are some actual quotes on the subject "Thankful"
Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for. Terry Lynn Taylor***Be thankful for the least gift, so shalt thou be meant to receive greater. Thomas a Kempis (1380 - 1471)***Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing that money cannot buy; therefore value it, and be thankful for it. Izaak Walton (1593 - 1683)***In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
11/24/09 ObamaFoodOrama.blogspot.com
A sustainable, regional, mostly vegetable menu--and curry gets a nod, in honor of India...At left, Mrs. Obama discusses protocol and petit fours in the State Dining Room this afternoon, with the members of her new girls' mentoring and leadership program, during the press preview event for tonight's State Dinner in honor of India. Mrs. Obama actually gave a very serious and moving speech, which will be posted later. As your intrepid blogger predicted, Mrs. Obama mixed her china patterns for this evening, and is using Eisenhower China and Clinton State China for the service plates, and George W. Bush State China for the dinner plates.Also as predicted, the china had meaning: President Eisenhower was the first president to visit India after it gained its independence. And both of the Clintons--Bill and Hillary--have been enormously useful to the Obamas and the administration. President Bush fostered a close relationship with India, too: He held a State dinner in Prime Minister Singh's honor in 2005.
No chefs at the menu preview...and no food, eitherThe ingredients for the State Dinner were sustainably sourced--and meant to represent American regional cuisine; there is no mention of the now-volatile word "organic" in any press guidance. The pears for the dessert were poached in honey from the White House beehive, and herbs and lettuces were harvested from the White House Kitchen Garden--which Ob Fo also predicted. Desserts, created by Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses, will be garnished with mint and verbena from the Kitchen Garden, too. The wines, of course, are all American, as is standard White House practice. Guest Chef Marcus Samuelsson helped Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford create the menu--but he wasn't present at the preview, nor was she. Nor were any of the dishes from the menu--save for a lone plate of Yosses's desserts. The preview event was a bit of a rugby scrum with so many journalists and photographers climbing over each other. But the menu is interesting--and more on that later, too.
For the State Dinner Menu: http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2009/11/state-dinner-menu.html
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Remarks by the First Lady at Indian State Dinner Press Preview
Photos: http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Obama-hosts-first-State-Dinner-first-lady-Michelle-Obama-President-Barack-Obama-Gursharan-Kaur/ss/events/pl/112409statedinner/im:/091125/480/545afa31e497430ba7e54779764189a1/#photoViewer=/091125/480/f59cb9f7fcae481d924696773e4ef89d
President Obama In South Korea: The Luncheon Menu...And Other Fun Details
11/20/09 ObamaFoodOrama.blogspot.com
President Obama gains weight in Asia, and Mrs. Obama magically appears for lunch in South Korea
President Obama attended a closed-press luncheon in South Korea with President Lee Myung-bak and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok during his visit to Seoul on Nov. 19. But Korean media is reporting that First Lady Michelle Obama also attended the lunch at the Cheongwadae, the seat of government--although Mrs. Obama was in the US the entire time President Obama was in Asia. Perhaps local media enthusiasm is to be excused--there was a massive welcoming ceremony when President Obama arrived in Seoul, and during lunch, he was goofing around a little bit--which was captured in the photo, above, taken in the banquet room. President Lee had just presented President Obama with a taekwondo outfit, including an honorary black belt, as a memento of his visit; the President learned the martial art as a younger man. Lee also handed over a gift for Mrs. Obama: A book of Korean recipes, because everyone knows she's a cooking enthusiast, apparently.
The menu is below, verbatim, from Korean media--because it includes excellent "insidery" details, including the fact that President Obama gained wight on his trip. Actually, the reverse is true--so much so that during his trip, President Obama had to answer questions about weight loss from NBC and CBS, and explain that his weight fluctuates by five pounds. Here's the (possibly) fictitious Korean luncheon menu: Some of the notable dishes were sinseollo, bulgogi, marinated grilled beef; bibimbap, a rice dish with assorted vegetables and beef; japchae, glass noodles with assorted vegetables; and dubu-bugeotang, a dried pollack soup with tofu. Sinseollo, also known as Korean Royal Pot, is one of the most colorful Korean dishes, containing pan-fried beef, kimchi, shrimp pancakes, king trumpet mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms among other things. The dish was initially not considered due to possible complications while serving and eating, but the First Lady insisted, saying there's nothing like a good hot soup in a cold weather. A total of six basic side dishes (called banchan) accompanied the main dishes; kimchi, water kimchi, assorted spinach, tangpyeongchae (mung bean jelly mixed with vegetables and beef), jangjorim (beef boiled in soysauce with egg) and dashima-toegak (dried kelp fried). Obama, for his part, showed how comfortable he was with chopsticks and repeatedly complimented the dishes served as “delicious.” When he commented that he is gaining weight due to the many Asian delicacies he has enjoyed on this trip at previous summits in China, Japan and now in Korea – Lee assured him that Korean dishes are low in calories. Spinach was included as it is known to be the favorite side dish of US Ambassador to Korea, Kathleen Stevens. *****************
Gochujan (chili paste) is mixed with honey and vinegar to create the Korean Gochujang sauce that is a popular condiment that would accompany many of the dishes mentioned in the article.
I am so completely disgusted with some of the American People, the republican congress and senate, it took eight long years of Bush/Cheny and the republican rich insurance companys, Wallstreet to bring this great country to it's knees.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/20/weekly-address-traveling-abroad-our-economy-home
In an address recorded in Seoul, South Korea, the President discusses his trip to Asia. He talks about his push to stop nuclear proliferation in North Korea, Iran, and around the world. He talks about promoting America's principles for an open society in China while making progress on joint efforts to combat climate change. And talks in-depth about the primary objective of his trip: engaging in new markets that hold tremendous potential to spur job creation here at home.
Read the Transcript | Download Video: mp4 (128MB) | mp3 (4MB)
It's been awhile since I've been active here. Honestly, after working night and day to get President Obama elected, I thought I'd be able to rest on my laurels...or at least rest. But noooo, his critics started in on him immediately - as in Nov. 5, 2008 immediately. So I have been working unofficially by writing letters to editors, rounding up support for health care, explaining the bill drafts to friends and strangers, correcting the media, etc. But I want to organize my efforts and measure my results. So I'm back. I miss having reinforcements and knowing that I'm not in this fight alone. Most of all, I miss being around doers instead of talkers.I've been easing my way back into the swing of things by attending a few events per week. This past Wednesday, I attended the Northern CA Weekly Conference Call to see what our strategy is for getting health care passed. Last Thursday, I attended my first official Call for Health Care event. It was great! Much easier than Calling for Change :) Partly because we were calling from a list of people who have already claimed to support the President and/or the health care reform bill. Of the 30 calls I made, I spoke to about 10 people who were at home. They were all still on-board with reform and agreed to call their congressional representatives to let them know.
It's been awhile since I've been active here. Honestly, after working night and day to get President Obama elected, I thought I'd be able to rest on my laurels...or at least rest. But noooo, his critics started in on him immediately - as in Nov. 5, 2008 immediately. So I have been working unofficially by writing letters to editors, rounding up support for health care, explaining the bill drafts to friends and strangers, correcting the media, etc. But I want to organize my efforts and measure my results. So I'm back. I miss having reinforcements and knowing that I'm not in this fight alone. Most of all, I miss being around doers instead of talkers.
I've been easing my way back into the swing of things by attending a few events per week. This past Wednesday, I attended the Northern CA Weekly Conference Call to see what our strategy is for getting health care passed. Last Thursday, I attended my first official Call for Health Care event. It was great! Much easier than Calling for Change :) Partly because we were calling from a list of people who have already claimed to support the President and/or the health care reform bill. Of the 30 calls I made, I spoke to about 10 people who were at home. They were all still on-board with reform and agreed to call their congressional representatives to let them know.
One very memorable caller - an 80 year-old man - was so passionate about this issue! He told me a couple stories about falling through the "donut hole" - the gap between health insurance coverage. At the end of our call, he wanted to do more than call his representatives (again), though. He wanted to personally visit their offices so they could SEE just who is in need of new health care. I'm paraphrasing because he used more...colorful language. :) He signed up as a volunteer to help spread the word about health care. That was my last call of the night. I left on a high note to see an elderly person with that much fight in him, who is willing to use his *ahem* gift of gab in a productive way. It reminded me of my 86 year-old grandmother writing 80 postcards to send to people for Obama for America.It was a very encouraging first night back in the saddle, so to speak. I look forward to tomorrow's tabling event to inform shoppers about health care (we created a game to make the information exchange fun). Next week, I'm hosting a couple of events. We'll see if I still have my organizing touch. :) Let's get it done!
One very memorable caller - an 80 year-old man - was so passionate about this issue! He told me a couple stories about falling through the "donut hole" - the gap between health insurance coverage. At the end of our call, he wanted to do more than call his representatives (again), though. He wanted to personally visit their offices so they could SEE just who is in need of new health care. I'm paraphrasing because he used more...colorful language. :) He signed up as a volunteer to help spread the word about health care. That was my last call of the night. I left on a high note to see an elderly person with that much fight in him, who is willing to use his *ahem* gift of gab in a productive way. It reminded me of my 86 year-old grandmother writing 80 postcards to send to people for Obama for America.
It was a very encouraging first night back in the saddle, so to speak. I look forward to tomorrow's tabling event to inform shoppers about health care (we created a game to make the information exchange fun). Next week, I'm hosting a couple of events. We'll see if I still have my organizing touch. :) Let's get it done!
It's been a while that I watched BMJ. When I began watching tonight in the middle of the program I entered into President Johnson's conversation in 1965 with McNamara on escalation of the war, when the troops there were in the range of 45 thousands. I sat pinned down to my chair till the end of the program.
That "while" wiyhout BMJ was a wasted while. God bless Bill Moyers of the USA! fib
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This week on the JOURNAL, Bill Moyers looked back some four decades to his experience as a member of President Lyndon Johnson’s administration. At the time, Johnson made a series of fateful decisions to escalate the war in Vietnam, where eventually over two million American military personnel would serve. Estimates indicate that nearly 60,000 U.S. troops – and more than a million Vietnamese – were killed during the course of the conflict.
With an eye on President Obama’s deliberations on whether to deploy more U.S. troops in addition to the 68,000 already in Afghanistan, Moyers presented a montage of recorded conversations and his personal memories of President Lyndon Johnson’s decisions to escalate the war in Vietnam. He said:
“Our country wonders this weekend what is on President Obama’s mind. He is apparently about to bring months of deliberation to a close and answer General Stanley McChrystal’s request for more troops in Afghanistan. When he finally announces how many, why, and at what cost, he will most likely have defined his presidency, for the consequences will be far-reaching and unpredictable. As I read and listen and wait with all of you for answers, I have been thinking about the mind of another President – Lyndon B. Johnson. I was 30 years old, a White House assistant, working on politics and domestic policy. I watched and listened as LBJ made his fateful decisions about Vietnam... Barack Obama is not Lyndon Johnson, Afghanistan is not Vietnam and this is now, not then. The situation is different. But listen – and you will hear echoes and refrains that resonate today.”
The nation is divided about America’s mission in Afghanistan. In a new WASHINGTON POST – ABC News poll, 55% of respondents expressed confidence that President Obama will pick a strategy that will work, but 52% said that the war in Afghanistan has not been worth fighting given the costs versus the benefits.
What do you think?
