Thanks for the Providence of Almighty God

Several years ago, I had a discussion about Thanksgiving with one of the brightest, most talented, most influential advertising creators on earth.

When I asked what the day meant to him, he said, "It is day to say thanks to other people."

Oh, how I wish I had this Proclamation memorized so that I could have set him straight.

And reading it again, oh how I wish the leaders of our country would go back to our politically incorrect foundations. And oh, how I wish they thought deeply and wrote eloquently as did President Lincoln.

For perspective, remember this was written in the middle of The Civil War.




Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day

October 3, 1863

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

A. Lincoln

Who's zoomin who?

Kaffee: I want the truth!
Col. Jessep: [shouts] You can't handle the truth!
- "A Few Good Men"


Watched "The Most Dangerous Man in America".

A fascinating documentary. Fascinating on so many levels.

I won't ruin it for you.

But there is one key question that the film makes you think hard about.

Who the heck really knows what's going on?

There are truths, there are lies, there is wrong information, there is misinformation, and there is spin.

About most any topic.

But especially about things like international politics. War. Espionage.

There is a fascinating scene in the film where Daniel Ellsberg meets the newly appointed Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger. Ellsberg is at the time working at the Pentagon, and has more security clearances than Kissinger.

Ellsberg describes to Kissinger the three mental stages he will go thru once he receives the highest clearances:

"First, a great exhilaration, for getting all this amazing information that you didn't know even existed. And the next phase is you'll feel like a fool for not having known of any of this. But that won't last long. Very soon, you'll come to think that everyone else is foolish. What would this expert be telling me if he knew what I knew? So in the end, you stop listening too."

So, the folks at the top know stuff we don't. And can't. And won't. That's a scary thought. And should make us all think more about who we elect into powerful government positions.

As I watched the film, I then wanted to know, why was this movie made?

It was made by two documentary filmmakers. Who only make antiwar films.

Hmmmmm. Any chance they slanted the movie thru their prism?

The film makes Ellsberg a hero.

Is he? If so, is Julian Assange a hero?

Or are they both stooges?

Or are they both villains and traitors?

I encourage you to take 94 minutes and watch the film.

If you weren't alive then, you will be amazed.

If you were alive then, you will have forgotten how crazy things were.

And after watching it, you will start to rethink alot of things. Question alot of things. Wonder if what you thought was true really is.

It will make you think more critically.

And even if the movie is all lies and crap, then it will be time well spent.

The Cloth of the Nation

I had never heard this term until after Pete was dead.

I first heard "The Cloth of the Nation" at a military ceremony where all of our military service members were honored.

There is no one term to describe our folks in service other than "military".

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard.


What a wonderful set of words.

The Cloth of the Nation.

Those who serve us wear the Cloth of the Nation.

Thanks to all who have worn it.

From the Revolutionary War forward.

You have represented us.

We are about to launch a new website called The Cloth of the Nation.

It has one simple purpose.

To connect civilian America with military America.

I have learned since Pete's death from thousands of Americans that they have a desire to show support for our folks serving in the military.

And, I have learned from you that are serving, does anyone give a damn about what I'm doing?

Well, millions do want to say we support you.

And, we want to provide a place where you can go in the middle of the night in Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, or whatever awful place you are, and know that you are loved and appreciated.

We were created by a great military.

We continue to live by the service of a great military.

Godspeed to all who wear the Cloth of the Nation.

Ruh-roh

So I'm watching Scooby-Doo on the Cartoon Network with Peanut.

Her favorite cartoon.

And to my horror, someone has now decided to screw it up for kids.

The episode jumped the shark, the parental guidelines, the decency factor, the moral standard and one of the key storylines of this ongoing saga.

There was an all girl "eco-goth" rock band. Sexily dressed. Way too curvaceous. Called The Hex Girls. Who wore vampire teeth. Were angry at the world. Made potions.

Worse, Fred was a bit too interested in Thorn, the lead singer.

Then, Fred has an idea to solve the show's mystery, and as usual, he splits up the group and chooses Daphne to be his partner.

Velma then asks why Fred always chooses Daphne. Then Daphne tries to kissy-face with Fred.

And to top it all, the man in the show who needed help from Mystery Inc. was a descendant of a woman who he proudly explains was a Wiccan. Sarah Ravencroft was her name. And she was extolled for using her powers to help "sick people that could not afford healthcare".

What's next? The Tasmanian Devil is actually on crack? Wiley Coyote joins al Qaeda? Daffy Duck talks that way because he has his tongue pierced?

What adult is making these decisions? This crap doesn't just happen. Someone decided to put those messages in a Scooby-Doo cartoon.

I never thought I'd sound like Rev. Donald Wildmon, but folks, watch out.

Maybe free TV should just go away. Let it all be PPV, or internet delivered. Let families pre-select and pre-screen everything that goes into the heads of their precious little ones.

Dear Jackie and Laura

Blame me.

It's not your fault.

I asked you and you said yes.

There were red flags yet I ran thru them.

I was the one that said it will all work out, regardless of our differences.

I was wrong.

Thank you for what you gave me.

Many lessons. Many good memories. And many children.

All I ever wanted was to love and be loved. Unconditionally.

I thought that was what you wanted too.

Our differences caught up with us.

I'm sorry for the pain.

Let us forget and forgive and focus on life.

Five incredible people are now in this world because of us.

God doesn't make mistakes.

There is a reason Pete, Ali, Sarah, Zac and Georgia were created.

He has a plan for each of them. And we are seeing them impact the world daily.

Forgive me for my mistakes.

I forgive you.

Our lives will always be intertwined.

Let's make it the best it can be.

For your sake, for my sake, for our kids sakes, for God's sake, let's finish well.

I will always be in your debt for what you've given me.

I pray for you and our children daily.

I covet your prayers for all of us.

ab

"Can Santa bring me a new phone on the Android platform?"

This may be my favorite question ever.

She asked this right after, "Dad, you want to catch a late brunch at Sloopy's?"

Nine. Fourth grade. Doing algebra and geometry that I struggled with in high school.

Can make my iPhone do things I didn't know it was capable of.

Can canter on a thoroughbred, explain gravity, likes mochi (only the red bean version).

And she still believes in Santa Claus.

Oh, how I hope that never ends.

Remember vividly the day Ali came home and demanded a meeting with her mom and dad in HER room.

Think she was 8.

Snot-nosed Jimmy down the street had broken the news to her about Santa, and she wanted a full confession.

I tried the "But everyone believes in the magic of Santa" routine. She was having no part of it.

"YOU and MOM are Santa. Aren't you?"

"Well, yes."

"And, you're the tooth fairy. Aren't you?"

"Well, yes. And the Easter Bunny."

Wailing and screaming from her, "Oh no. Not the Easter Bunny!!!!!!!!!!!"

Never assume. Never, ever assume is what I learned that moment.

So, whilst Peanut is still going with it, it is magic.

Don't know if Santa uses the Android platform or not. But I bet he's gonna bust his fat tush trying. (You know, Daddy, it is more popular now than the iPhone platform.)

The good news is I don't think Santa can get that thoroughbred and saddle down the chimney.

A daughter's love

"Daddy, I just wanted to call and tell you that Kiley and Shannon and I are making the biggest pillow tent ever. But I wanted to call and tell you goodnight. And so did Kiley and Shannon."

It doesn't get any better. Well, she could live with me, but that's another story.

When Ali was two, she started calling me "Poppie". It's still my favorite name to be called.

When Sadie was two, she asked me to tell her stories. And, Mark and Teddy stories were born.

Ali, Sadie and Georgia have heard more Mark and Teddy stories than Jerry Jones has girlfriends.

Mark and Teddy are the ultimate morality stories.

Every night, Mark and Teddy have an adventure.

Mark is always bad.

Teddy is always good.

The situation always varies. No story can be retold.

They have been at grocery stores, Six Flags, on airplanes, at church, at school, you name it, they have been there.

And Mark has done more bad things than can be imagined. And Teddy is always rewarded for his good behavior.

That Mark will never learn.

Sons have a Dad relationship. That is, if we have spent time together.

We just get it. We are men, we talk, we move on. We are bonded.

Daughters have a Daddie relationship.

Oh how I love my connections with my boys.

We laugh. We bash each other. We share sports updates.

Daughters, they need communication. Stories. Time.

I'm in the middle of one sweet week with my youngest.

No agenda. Just me and her snuggling, playing, singing, wrestling, loving.

I am the most fortunate man alive to have had two sons and three daughters.

The fortress that is built between the five of them is formidable.

The Taliban would be well advised to stay away. Don't fuck with the Burks kids.

In the meantime, the relationships I have with the girls is so amazing.

The daughter thing is over the top. And I'm right there with them.

They need daddy to be there.

They need daddy to teach them about men.

They need daddy to be accountable.

They need daddy to provide.

They need daddy to show the way.

And it is a privilege to do so.

And, even though they don't always see it the same way, the most important thing is to be there. Just be there. Be their daddy.

I hear there are men that don't do that.

I am sorry for them.

And I am sorry for their daughters.

For a man, it is the most rewarding, challenging, daunting, wonderful task on earth.

There is nothing in the world so sweet as a daughter wrapping her hand in her father's hand.

There is nothing better than a daughter wanting to snuggle with her daddy.

There is nothing better than a daughter loving her papa.

I'm so excited.

I get two more days with my peanut and her undivided attention.

Then I get to go home to Texas, where peanut wants to be, and be with her sisters.

And her lone surviving brother who she calls her bodyguard. The Zac man.

But tomorrow, I will be wrestling her to prove once again that I am King of the Hill.

She has this amazing knee drop on my back that makes her King of the Hill. I just can't let her know that quite yet.

And on Friday, we are going to the skeeball place of champions. And we shall see who rules the roost.

Oh, daughters, how special you are.

How fortunate are the men who are your fathers.

And how lucky I am to be the daddy of Ali, Sadie and Georgia.