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November 26, 2009

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Thu Nov 26, 2009, 09:54 PM CST

I loved Melia Elliott’s Thanksgiving essay and the main editorial “Let debates commence” (Globe, Nov. 24).

Melia Elliott’s story about the way her disabled veteran father used his physical condition to create fun, surprise and pleasure for children was perfect. She wrote, “As I grew older, I appreciated the power of a positive attitude and the sense of humor he modeled for me despite his own pain — traits I am thankful for today.”

So much of what Elliott wrote is wonderful, moving and true. With her personal story and outlook, she expresses an attitude I admire, and some of the same reasons why I love Thanksgiving so much and why it is one of the favorite holidays of the year in our family.

Sometimes the meaning of Thanksgiving in America seems in danger of being overlooked and lost, sandwiched as it is between a Halloween and Christmas that have become much larger than they used to be and expanded to hog the calendar, our time and attention. I believe the country should go back to celebrating Thanksgiving on the traditional third Thursday in November instead of the fourth Thursday, which is too close to Christmas. That would produce a longer Christmas shopping season and give more emphasis to Thanksgiving.

I also agreed wholeheartedly with the editorial. To quote: “How do reasonable people conduct a real debate on such a volume of information?... Undoubtedly the final product (assuming that anything is passed, which we do think will happen) will be hundreds of pages long. Even with the best of intentions and even with a unanimous vote to approve the bill, there will be inevitable unintended consequences in a bill of such length.”

And possibly overwhelming costs, as the editorial goes on to point out.

Jacqueline Potter

Carthage

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Voices: Opinions of the day

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr wants the city to distribute weather radios to all Joplin homes that don’t have one. That’s 11,000 radios. Do you think that’s a good use of $300,440?

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr wants the city to distribute weather radios to all Joplin homes that don’t have one. That’s 11,000 radios. Do you think that’s a good use of $300,440?

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