The last Thursday of November is my favorite day of the year! Thanksgiving, is a holiday without equal, a time of gathering with those that you love, reflecting on the blessings of family and friends, remembering those that may have passed on, with a warmth that somehow fills the empty spot their passing may have left.

After a several week hiatus, I decided to read an interesting piece of writing by Bill Bunker. The subject created several insightful views of the American political landscape. Clay and Bill presented thoughtful and erudite views of the argument they presented. The comments after those intelligent exchanges began to deteriorate when a participant began making Hitlerean comparisons with our current president.

In the closing days of the presidential race, patriotic Americans are watching closely to determine their selection in this important election. The candidates have their spin on where they will take America in the next four years, but the spin has never been more bewildering. Cutting through the eloquent yet often meaningless campaign sound bites will be important if you are to make the best decision about this important choice.

I am a lifelong learner and innately curious. I wouldn't consider myself an intellectual, but I do believe myself to be a thinking person. Having said that one of my greatest curiosities is the true believers of the Obama campaign. I recognize that certain people on both sides of the political spectrum can become enamored of a candidate. Some will be taken by a person's looks or charisma, some passionately believe in candidate's positions and causes.  These are all things that can be explained and conversely understood. What perplexes me is that none of these things can be said about Barak H. Obama

2008 DEERFIELD FAIR TO OPEN SEPTEMBER 25

“New England’s Oldest ‘Family Fair’^®” – the Deerfield Fair – opens September 25 for its 132^nd year. Four full days of events, both old and new, take place at the Deerfield Fairgrounds in Deerfield, New Hampshire. “You can’t help having a good time at the Deerfield Fair! This is a good old country fair, a family fair,” explains Alan O’Neal, Deerfield Fair board member. “Just one low price and acres of free parking.”

Believing that something good can happen even when we know there is strong evidence to the contrary is the classic definition of hope as understood by every school child, opening a report card, somewhere in the world. Hope is the elixir we all desire to partake from when the hand we have been dealt holds few if any strong cards. It is a cruel mistress, incredibly alluring yet in the end, she leaves you feeling totally unfulfilled. Why then do we seem to be enamored this election year by the promise of hope and those that have adopted this cruel promise as their mantra?

 The voice message left by the Doctor's office efficiently reminds you that your appointment is for 3:45 P.M. the following day. The message further suggests that you arrive at their office fifteen minutes early to check in. This courtesy reminder begins to grate on your nerves, when at 4:45 P.M. you still haven't been called to see your Doctor.

Alas we have become a culture that no longer finds great value in history. The punch-line retort of a teenager speaking with parents about fashion: “that was oh so five minutes ago” seems to be the credo of many today. We have become a civilization of people who live in the here and the now; anything more distant than the immediate past or the very near future seems to be far too exhausting to contemplate.