WASHINGTON, D.C. —
Even in a year of severe drought, continued high unemployment, economic struggle, natural disaster and a negative and divisive election, Americans have much to be thankful for.
Whether your side won or lost, all Americans still can feel pride and appreciation for a peaceful democratic system that remains a model for the world. Although many may have been inconvenienced by long lines or inefficient voting processes, no one had to risk his or her life to vote.
Foreign Policy magazine profiled a delegation of election officials from more than 60 nations who traveled to the United States to observe Americans voting on election day. An observer from Libya characterized our system as “an incredible system … built according to trust” while a Jordanian visitor marveled at “the confidence that’s placed in the process.” Others expressed amazement that ballots are entrusted to local, civilian poll workers and that our polling places are free from a police presence.
In just the past few months, tens of thousands of Syrians have been murdered fighting for the freedom to have a say in their government and their future. In China, Communist Party leaders have shut down streets and social media to prevent citizens from even expressing an opinion on the once-a-decade leadership transition in which they have no vote.
We don’t even have to look at other countries to remember how fortunate we are. Starting with our very founding, our own history is replete with challenging periods in which we not only survived but triumphed. In 1775, with no army or navy, American colonists decided to take on the most powerful military force in the world — and won. When the young nation’s unity and very existence threatened to dissolve in 1787 under the inadequate Articles of Confederation, our first leaders locked themselves up in a hot Philadelphia room and by the end of the summer emerged with a Constitution that remains a beacon of hope and freedom to the world and the standard against which all other governments are measured.
Many more tests were to come. The Civil War claimed the lives of more than 600,000 Americans but ultimately ensured “that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Our existence was threatened again by a Great Depression that put 25 percent of Americans out of work and a World War that killed up to 60 million worldwide and cost more than a quarter of a million young American lives. The Greatest Generation answered the challenge, and we emerged as the most powerful and prosperous nation in the history of the world.
Our democracy remained intact through the tumultuous 1960s that brought the threat of nuclear annihilation during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the tragic and violent loss of our president and our greatest civil rights leader. By the end of that trying decade, we put a man on the moon. While the Soviet Union crumbled in the ’80s and ’90s, the United States thrived and ushered in a technological boom that would revolutionize communication across the globe. As the “American Century” concluded and another began, Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda sought to weaken us. But Sept. 11 strengthened our unity and resolve and inspired the free and peaceful nations of the world to unite with us against terror.
It remains a dangerous world in which both our safety and economic security are threatened. When I have town hall meetings and visit with fellow Oklahomans throughout the state, I hear from many who are justifiably worried about our future. There is certainly plenty of reason for concern, but there is also every reason to believe we will continue to succeed and flourish. American history has demonstrated time and again that American values and determination are stronger than any challenge. These blessings are worth reflection as we celebrate Thanksgiving.
U.S. REP. TOM COLE, R-Norman, represents the 4th Congressional District of Oklahoma. He may be reached at his Washington, D.C., office at Phone: 202-225-6165.
Opinion
A grateful nation this Thanksgiving day
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Seeing yourself as the world sees you
Ever try seeing yourself as others see you, or your piece of the world as others see your piece of the world?
You know, if you could get others to see you, or if you could get other parts of the world to see your part of it?
Narcissism and inferiority, both, can trap us in front of a mirror, admiring or lamenting, pleased or not pleased by the vision we presumably offer others.
Yet, what’s happened over the last three days, since yet another deadly tornado rolled through Moore, offers an entirely different perspective.
Through strength or weakness, we may take an interest in how we project. But when the “Today Show” is broadcast from the rubble and the network evening news has placed its anchor amidst the carnage; and when the news channels descend upon the destruction and every newspaper in the country is playing your and your neighbors’ plight bigger than its own hometown news, it turns surreal. -
ROCK DOC: Japanese find a new source of natural gas
The name “natural gas” might be a puzzle. After all, how could there be such a thing as unnatural gas? The reason we call natural gas what we do has to do with history. There was a day that people made burnable gas by heating coal. The gases that came off the coal were piped around cities where they did things like light street lamps and even power cook stoves in homes.
Coal gas had its down side. For one thing, it often contained carbon monoxide. And it took energy to make the gas, so it never could be truly cheap. -
Witnesses missing; Behenna case could be heard at Supreme Court
The film “Breaker Morant” was nominated for an Oscar for the best screenplay in 1980. It told the story of Harry “Breaker” Morant, an Australian who served in the British Army and was court-martialed for alleged war crimes during the Boer War in Southern Africa in the early years of the last century.
That conflict pitted the British Army against the descendants of the Dutch settlers who had migrated to what is now South Africa in the 17th and 18th centuries. The majority of them were farmers and in their language of Afrikaans were known as “Boers.” -
Don’t leave Oklahoma!
May is graduation season. As I have done every year as lieutenant governor, I have given multiple commencement speeches. Advice flows freely during this time and it usually runs the gamut. What to do, what not to do, how to do ‘x’, be sure not to do ‘y.’ Too often commencement speakers speak in big generalities. So general, the message is frequently lost or forgotten.
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Last-minute funding proposals not in state’s best interest
All indications point to this being the last week of this year’s legislative session. The Legislature will go home a week early. This is good news for Oklahomans as not only will there be cost savings but all Oklahomans should breathe a sigh of relief when the Legislature stops making new laws a week ahead of schedule.
As usual, the Legislature will take a number of important votes during the last week. Some will be forced due to attempts to introduce and pass far-reaching, new policies that should have been introduced much earlier in the year. -
BY THE NUMBERS: Oklahoma still needs to invest in its economy
After six months of stagnation, the Oklahoma economy finally appears to be expanding again albeit still weakly. Unfortunately, our leaders aren’t making the investments we need to give our economic prospects a boost.
Last week the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services reported that in April state General Revenue fund collections were 5.2 percent above the estimate and 14.7 percent higher than last year’s collections. Under normal circumstances, such a report would indicate that the Oklahoma economy was very strong. But this isn’t a normal circumstance, and April isn’t a normal month. -
Americans deserve the truth on Benghazi
Lately, the media has been consumed by the controversies surrounding the White House. Among these controversies is the horrific terrorist attack on the United States’ diplomatic compound in Benghazi that took place Sept. 11, 2012. As more people come forward with additional information regarding the attack on the consulate, many Americans, including myself, are still asking for the truth.
The Obama Administration and the State Department have been less than forthcoming with key information on Benghazi and recent information points toward a major cover-up. -
Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
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HEY HINK: Some people just are not cut out for command
Recent headlines cause me to remember an incident that occurred on an army base some years ago. Warning here: I’m taking some liberties with names and details, but the basic outline of events is accurate.
A certain company commander, let’s call him Captain Duntz, had command of a motor pool on a large army base in the continental U.S. -
We’ve become our own worst enemies
The past couple months have been marked by a seeming unprecedented number of man-made tragedies, as distinct from those caused by violent outbursts of the natural world, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis.
You don’t want to dwell too long on the negative, but we do have to take notice of horrific human events and we owe it to ourselves to respond to them in some way. We don’t always agree on those responses, however, and that usually exacerbates the problem. - More Opinion Headlines
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Seeing yourself as the world sees you
