Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I can only think of one word when I try to put my finger on why--warmth.

First there is the physical warmth. Let's face it, it's starting to get cold out. When I woke up this morning it was 8 degrees. On Thanksgiving day most of us can stay inside. It is hoped that any traveling is complete. There is no need to dash to the cold car and rush to be anywhere on time. It is a day to sit inside with family and friends while the oven and the company add an extra dose of toasty comfort.

Then there is the emotional warmth. When I think of past Thanksgivings--this year will be my 57th--I have only good memories. It has always been of family and friends just relaxing together. You can turn off worry and stress because you have people you love right there with you. After all, that is all that counts.

I have just described is an idyllic Thanksgiving. As I write I realize how fortunate I am that most of mine fit the ideal. I do not have to tell you that there are many many people who never have had, and likely never will have, a chance to feel this kind of warmth--either physical or emotional. And, let's face it, there are many in the world who don't have much of anything to be thankful for.

They may need to walk miles just to find water or a doctor. They and their families may be suffering from disease--most of it preventable. Their families may have been torn asunder by war or political turmoil. They may have no hope of a better future because of all these factors and more.

How wonderful it is that an organization like Rotary is working so hard to make the world better so someday others may share our good fortune.

Perhaps the true reason for the Thanksgiving holiday is to give us the time to think. Time to sift through our daily cares and appreciate that which is truly important and makes life worth living. Time to do this introspective exercise which I myself just completed.

Thanksgiving is not just one day. It is something we should do every day or for that matter every hour.



P.S. Let us also remember our armed forces and police, firefighters, and medical teams, who may sacrifice being with their families on Thanksgiving to protect our safety.

Seeing Ain't Believing

Taking a Chance

Today I write about our meeting of a couple of weeks ago when we hosted both a Democrat and Republican delegate to the national convention. Before that meeting I was asked many times if I was worried how this would turn out. Was I was filled with trepidation?

Some members thought I was crazy to allow a program at Rotary where two fervent members of the opposing political parties could butt heads. We should not get into controversial subjects at Rotary. What if it turns into a free-for-all? What if some members are offended?

Yet, I could not feel any trepidation. Why? First because I was confident in the ability of our moderator, Gary Stewart. Second, because I think it is a good thing to stir up some dust every once in while, provided we don't favor any one point of view.

So, yes, we did take a big risk in offering this program at our Rotary meeting. All or some of the "terrible" things could have happened. But, how much richer are we as a club for having taken this chance? Must we resign ourselves to always be non-controversial and safe?

I think and hope not. I love the fact that Rotary does not espouse any political or religious philosophy. But this does not mean that we should avoid talking about these things. By bringing our differences into the open with intelligence and decorum, we are actually accomplishing one of the main goals of Rotary--promoting understanding and tolerance.

I want to thank Joanne Lamoureux, Gary Stewart and the program committee for an excellent job. I encourage them to do more of the same.

A Jolt of Endorphins

I've got to tell you my whole body ached for the first few days this week. But, I loved every minute of it.

No, I am not a masochist. And I do not think I need psychological therapy (at least for this!)

I loved every minute because when I moved in certain ways it reminded me of the fulfilling time I had working to build a house for a low-income family in Ithaca. It also brought back memories of the work I did as part of our Katrina relief team, helping to rebuild the little hamlet of Pearlington, MS.

I wish there was a way to convey the feeling you get using your own two hands to bring about tangible change. I've worked for more than a quarter century to build and operate a business. It has been very satisfying at times and I've made a good living. But seeing the immediate results of my labor--in fact, just laboring for a good cause--must send a jolt of long-lasting endorphins to my pleasure centers.

It used to be you'd have to go to the Gulf to get this rush. But now, through our Community Build, you can get your own high right here in town. The next time Alan Cohen brings the sheet around at a meeting, please sign up.

Your achy muscles will thank you.





Kati Torello learns the art of the nail gun.

Four Ways to Financial Stability

I know that Rotary is supposed to be apolitical, but there is nothing that says my blog has to be. My comments are non-partisan. But they are provocative.

I believe the financial crisis in our country is a result of a bad side of human nature run amok. Greed invaded our government and society and metastasized without restraint. Neither political party was willing to take the steps needed to forestall this disaster. Also to blame are the many people who took on debts they knew they could not repay. More greed.

Seems to me our society has lost a good deal of its moral compass.

I've been thinking if any of the schemes put forth to solve the problem would pass the Four-Way Test. Without going into the gritty details you can pick up in the news, let's take a look.

Is it the truth? An emphatic no! I do not believe anyone has the guts to tell the American people the extent of the crises and what effect these measures will have on the prosperity of future generations. Moreover, has anyone truthfully answered the question of where all the money will come from? The dollar printing presses will be rolling day and night, making every one of ours worth that much less.

Is it fair to all concerned? No again! I don't think I need to explain this one. Let's just say that if you have played by the rules, if you've worked hard and saved money, you become the big loser in all of this as the value of your assets is inexorably diluted. On the other hand for the few at the top....well, I need say no more.

Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Can't see how! If anything this will divide our country more between the haves and have-nots.

Will it be beneficial to all concerned? No, no, a thousand times, no! The argument that the players at the top are too big to fail and that society will suffer more if they do, is specious. All of the remedies enacted or proposed thus far are window dressing. They will only delay and exacerbate paying inevitable price of a much poorer society with a much lower standard of living.

Perhaps many will think I am idealistic, over-simplifying, and naive by applying the Four-Way Test to this most serious and potentially catastrophic problem. You may say we cannot be bound by such high-minded ethics at a time like this.

I say this is precisely the time a strong and true ethical compass is needed. If we do not follow it now, then when? Was not the whole crises caused by people who failed to heed a clear moral direction, who put greed and superficial personal gain before the good of society and country?

What do I propose? Tell the truth. Do not protect and reward the few at the expense of the the many. Do not paper over the extent of the problem. Do not try to wriggle out with band-aid schemes.

The ethical values that were missing must now be applied with vigor. If the consequences are another Great Depression, remember, from that our country emerged stronger and as a moral beacon to the world.