Bush Pardons (Turkey Edition): I find the saving the practice of the President giving a pardon to one turkey for Thanksgiving (oh, the possible jokes applicable these days) a stupid practice. West Wing had a bit about it as few years ago in which CJ could not decide what turkey to choose for the privilege, finally feeling obligated in saving both of them. WW also had another amusing bit in which the President called up the turkey hotline to learn proper cooking techniques.
Anyway, such is sometimes the state of affairs when we no longer look at these animals as purely foodstuffs (Charlotte's Web and Babe highlight this theme, though children are likely to have hot dogs soon afterwards). I guess the whole thing started as a way to have a "national turkey," a sort of symbolic bird for the holiday. Fine enough for the lucky animal, I guess. Oh well. Does Alberto write the memoranda for these pardons too?
Football: Nothing says Thanksgiving more than mismatched football teams playing on short rest. John Madden no longer has the duty to bring out the mutant bird (multi-legged), but Dallas/Chicago does have a "evenly matched subpar team" flavor to them that the Colts/Lions do not quite have. One hopes that unless the mess down in South Carolina (who do they think they are? basketball players?), there will not be any fighting.
Though the refs didn't control the situation (extended fight, oversetting penalties), the teams did decide to turn down any bowl options (at 6-5, this is a bit sadly, an option). And, the retiring coach of the Gamecocks apologized during his valedictory remarks. This shows some more class than their new senator does when talking about single mothers/lesbians who happen to be school teachers (Sen. DeMint's advice? fire 'em!). The basketball authorities also came down hard on the infantile sorts on that end. Next, how about some real penalties on baseball players ... you know, something a bit more than $500 fines and paid suspensions for a few days (so tough!).
Thanksgiving: We all have something to be thankful for, though some might feel a bit less thankful than others. As to those individuals, I'm sympathetic, since when you come down to it, basically everyone is liable to have something on their side [e.g., I just saw a license plate that felt obligated to label the driver as a "Christian" ... no, not from around these parts]. You know, the old "they are starving in Africa" line. But, seriously, a word of thanks for the blessings I have, such that the aggravations (and there are those too) are just that much easier to bear.
And, remember, turkey isn't the only thing you can eat ... stuff is overrated anyway.