Here are some updated photos. They are exquisite. So nice to see the warm welcome President Obama received. So proud of him and SOS Hillary Clinton. So proud.

http://theobamadiary.com/

The Thanksgiving Turkey - An Unusual History:

It may come as a surprise to some that the highlight of our all-American Thanksgiving meal actually has its origins from the Aztecs. The plump bird we eat on the fourth Thursday of November has lost its Aztec name of huexoloti, according to Tise.

But the question still remains – where does the given name of turkey come from? Simply, it comes from the Middle East country of Turkey.

The huexoloti had long been tamed by Aztecs as an important food source, noted Tise in his essay. The bird was taken as a market good back to Spain.

The market traders took the bird into what was then the most powerful empire, the Ottoman Empire (Turkey). In Turkey, the bird was bred to become fuller and plump.

In an excerpt from Tise’s essay he says, “When corn, tobacco, and, of course, our huexoloti arrived in the heart of the thriving and vibrant Ottoman Empire – seated in what we now know as Turkey— they came into the hands of probably the most advanced farmers and husbandmen in the world.

“Making use of sophisticated growing and seeding techniques, savvy Turkish farmers within a few short years had produced a surplus quantities of corn and tobacco – enough to export to other parts of the world. And with smart breeding and feeding practices they also grew vast flocks of big-breasted huexoloti.”

The turkey then made its way into Eastern Europe and England in the 1540s, said Tise, and finally settled in Jamestown in 1614.

“I think it’s pretty cool to think that this particular bird has made its way around the western world and that it was reintroduced to the Americas 200 years after it left,” Jones said.

The story of how we got to eat the bird during Thanksgiving is a reflection of how we are part of a much larger society, Jones said, and many times we forget that.

“Even back in the 17th century, 18th century, people living in North America were still— even at that time— part of a global society and were influenced by other cultures other ethnic groups,” added Jones

“I think we should appreciate that, particularly on Thanksgiving,” Jones said. “It’s such a quintessentially American holiday. We don’t think that Muslim Turkish traders appear on our dinner table.”

Freshman nursing student Lizbeth Solis said she doesn’t have any special traditions during Thanksgiving, aside from her family gathering and enjoying their meals.

But Solis questioned why the this day is celebrated, after reading a book for her Africana Studies class titled, “The Lies my Teacher Told Me,” by James W. Loewen, after learning the true relations between natives and pilgrims.

Solis mentioned that for this Thanksgiving, she would educate her family on the holiday from what she has learned in school.

Contrary to popular belief, Thanksgiving was actually proclaimed a national holiday during the Civil War by Abraham Lincoln as a day to give thanks as a response to the end of the Civil War and a day to give thanks to the sacrifices made during the war.

There was a meeting between the natives and early colonists in the 1620s or 1630s Jones said but it was not what some know as a “mythical Thanksgiving of breaking of bread, sort of two cultures coming together.”

In reality the dinner that took place was a diplomatic meeting.

“The early New England colonists were attempting to establish an alliance with a particular native tribe in the region because they wanted to go to war with another native tribe. This was not sort of a peaceful deal,” Jones said.

The meaning behind of our nation’s day of giving thanks has several stories – from the elementary history lessons of a peaceful feast between natives and settlers, to gathering with family to enjoy one another, to forming lines at midnight to snag the best shopping deals of the year— and of course the factual events that occurred.

But one thing that has identified our country is the union of diverse cultures. The big bird that sits in the oven for hours to be consumed by Americans is a reflection of who we are.

Tise summed up his essay by stating: “We have been a part of a shared planet for a very long time.”

Jones agreed by saying, “I think everyone is fascinated by the idea that this singular bird represents such a vast history and multiple cultures and that we are tied to the rest of the world in many ways and have been for many years.”

http://collegian.csufresno.edu/2012/11/19/the-thanksgiving-turkey-an-unusual-history/

how cute, Feisty thinking you have anything relevant to say.

CA - might want to re-read your own post!

Pat, thanks for this history.

Also interesting to note that many First Nations folks think of turkey as the "give-away eagle, or south eagle".

The "give-away" or pot-latch practice is recognition of sacrifice of self and other. Very different from the guy with the best toys wins approach to others. It is a view that says a person who gives away the most, and honors those with less - is the most respected.

As a non-meat eater, I can still get behind the deeper meaning about letting go, and helping others out of an understanding that all life is sacred.

Wishing everyone at First Read a good holiday, with thanks.

Feisty always has something relevant to say to actual Americans Sneezer. Its the "R-elephant" (irrelevent) types that post sour drivel.

Meanwhile, back on topic... It is fascinating just how fast these die-hard losers of the R party think they can play "transformers" right in front of the people that just handed them their A$$es to wear as hats. Romney has a dandy little phone conference with their money-mill and exposes them all as the schmucks they were already expected of being and they think that means they're just in time for their make-overs!!

The worthless tripe has already turned and they're still trying to make tasty menudo from it. If it weren't so patently ridiculous it would be funny.

In other news, Boehner seems officially darker complected than Obama now.

May we not become complacent, the next election, 2014, will be just as important as this one. We must identify quality candidates and remove the rest of the tea bags from congress in order to make American whole again. There is a definite divide on what direction this country should take. Should we be of by and for the people or should we follow the republican mantra of Of, by and for the rich and corporations? I would hope we would choose people over those that would abandon this great country and seek profits overseas.

Some more stunning photos. These two need to get a room. Oh Michelle. Yo Go BO. Must be an Asian fantasy!!!!

http://www.theblaze.com/blog/2012/11/19/awkward-photos-of-the-day-overly-affectionate-obama-terrorizes-burma/

The plump bird we eat on the fourth Thursday of November has lost its Aztec name of huexoloti, according to Tise.

A fascinating history lesson...but I believe the reaction to me telling this story on Thursday will be something like, "Damn it, Noid, will you just pass the gravy already?"

Feisty readhead said... "They truly are a party of cannibals! lol"

Hey Feisty!... I was about to accuse them of eating their young when it dawned on me that they don't seem to have any...

Slim pickins for them this Thanksgiving because that turkey has no dark meat and the breasts are dry.

lets see, here we have seeking, binder and Feisty with all their intelligent thoughts and critical thinking skills telling it how it is. Lets look at this. How difficult is it to spew vile garbage? Pretty easy eh? We have seeking calling anyone that isnt a blowhard ignorant or stupid. Binder boy here is more worried about Boehner's tan. So Ruken, care to explain again how Eminent domain is wealth redistribution? Lastly we have Feisty, and we all know that she can analyze politics oh so well.

It's interesting how you libs believe that Republicans have soley ruined the country except for the pesky fact that Democrats have had signifcant control of congress since 2006. Yep they had majority in both the house and senate until 10' and still have the Senate and the executive branch. So tell me since the Repubs according to you hard lefties are the barbarians you claim them to be, how do they stall the government so effectively as the minority? I'll wait for the typical response from the aforementioned stooges

Hey everybody, cheers to all. I've been busy these last couple weeks so I haven't had much chance to stop in see see what's up on First Read.

Here's one: on the NBC Politics main page, that graphic with the blue and red states, there is a little bar graph showing Obama 332 and Romney 206. That graph is WAY oout of scale--the 332/206 gap should be much bigger than is shown. It's bad enough when the states themselves are poorly depicted because so many of the red states are empty, but the bar graph could be shown correctly. 206 is 62% of 332. The graphic looks more like Romney with 80% of the EV that Obama had. Not correct.

Anybody with me on that? NBC, maybe you fix that?

Sorry for nit-picking!

what's next for Romney

ahhhhh, permanent vacation at an undisclosed location?

Slim pickins for them this Thanksgiving because that turkey has no dark meat and the breasts are dry.

LMAO!

Not to mention, there will be no "Twinkie" stuffing for them either!

The good news is, there is still plenty of Hate-Or-Aid for them to wash down their sour grapes!

chick binder

In other news, Boehner seems officially darker complected than Obama now.

Becareful about talking about one's tan because I was called a RACIST for pointing out Boner's orange-like complection. Apparently, race, according to some, is determined by the minutes spent in a tanning booth....

ahhhhh, permanent vacation at an undisclosed location?

One can only HOPE!

But not before Willard & Queen Annie took in the final "Twilight" movie this weekend!

Only question left is, did they root for Team Edward or Team Jacob? lol

Hi Feisty!

One can only HOPE!

Romney will not go away quietly but I guess that gives us something to talk about: Romney the Ignoramus and his Gifts Theory!

C.A.

Here's your answer: it takes more than 11 months to tank an economy. Dems took control in Jan 2007. By December of 2007 the economy was in recession. Bad policy predated them by a bit, I think.

You might drop that talking point. There are some good facts out there that refute the whole "it's that Democrat congress" that ruined everything.

See http://zfacts.com/book/export/html/99

This talks about Reagan-Bush1, but there is a lot more on this site that supports the idea that Trickle down economics is the root of our crappy budget situation.

SmBusOwnerinNY

206 is 62% of 332.

I don't follow. EV is 538 so 206 of 538 is only 38% of the EV.

I think it's very telling that all of the Republicans are trying to put as much distance between thenselves and Romney as possible. Every "leader" is distancing themselves from the idiotic comments he has made - Graham, Newt, Boehner, etc. They can't run fast enough from him.

Where is the Mitt, anyway????

Not to mention, there will be no "Twinkie" stuffing for them either!

Speaking of the Twinkie Defense, that is about the only thing I haven't heard the GOPTP use to explain away their landslide loss. Apparently, the Ding-Dongs forgot about that defense. It really is too bad Romney didn't listen to Nate, he would have realized he didn't have a Sno-Balls chance in hell to win the election.

Speaking of Zingers, what will Queen Ann and her merry band of Ho-Hos be cooking up over Thanksgiving? I'd suggest that she replace her charred-blackened "Let them Eat Welsch-Cakes" with some good old fashioned Donetts. It will save a trip to the dentist to replace the broken teeth. No doubt, she is inviting the Bachmann's over for dessert, where Marcus will be serving his special "Pray Away the Gay Fruit Pies". Not to be outdone, Santorum will bring along his featured "Frothy Santorum Pudding Pie".

The only remaining concern over the Romney Big-Bird day is who will be the featured turkey - Mitt or Carl Rove?

You might drop that talking point. There are some good facts out there that refute the whole "it's that Democrat congress" that ruined everything.

Let me get this straight, it takes more than 11 months to tank an economy and yet 6 years later we're still in the same mess with little to no improvement. Republicans have been the minority part for those 6 years and will for another two. So How many years will it take to for recovery? 10? 15? Indefinitely? I think this is just a talking point for democrats to continue to try to stay in power. blame republicans and we need more time.

So tell me how trickle down Gov is working out? it worked out great for FDR too huh?

SeekingSanity

Where is the Mitt, anyway????

shush...don't make him come out!

Apparently, the Ding-Dongs forgot about that defense. It really is too bad Romney didn't listen to Nate, he would have realized he didn't have a Sno-Balls chance in hell to win the election.

Red,

Thanks for the Ho-Ho's! lmao

Speaking of "TWINKIES", does this count as a union victory for forcing the shutdown of a plant and the firing of many workers ? I am sure it will be a "Happy Thanksgiving" for all those workers now won't it ?

Sneezer almostiss just called me "Ruken" again right in the middle of some other nonsense... What is the matter with that thing?

Will someone please send him a dremel so he can sharpen that rusty load of talking points that were thoroughly dulled by that recent election...

Hey Sieze, Sha-Na-Na just called asking for you... It seems they want their repetition back...

I used to see Ruken post on here and poor Siezure misses him so badly that he apparently anticipates his triumphant return... Sort of like "Yes Mistress, may I have another!" on his part after the beatings I remember siezure subjecting himself to at the hands of Ruken. Too funny really.

Romney has become the biggest security hole into the inner workings of the Republican Party since they quit letting them use airport mens rooms... You can't really accuse him of saying stupid things because all he really does is speak the absolute truth at the wrong times. I think he gets recorded a lot because normal people see nothing but deception in his eyes.

Pat in Boston, to add to your history the Turks thought the bird came from India and they call it a hindi. So the Turkish word for turkey (the bird) is hindi.

Hi Bayllie,

Regarding the 62% thingy, I was just complaining about the little graphic on the NBC Politics main page along with the map of the United States. It shows a bar graph with Obama 332 vs Romney 206, but the Red Bar is much higher than 62% of the Blue Bar. The graphic shows the EV ratio misleadingly closer than it actually is.

C.A.,

I said you can't blame the new Democratic congress in the beginiing of 2007 for the sh!thole that quickly followed 11 months later. It is completely fair to blame the previous 6 years of one-party policy for getting us there. Now, on the other hand, genuine efforts were made to improve the economy for the last 4 years under Obama, which have been disingenuously obstructed or poison-pilled to death (repeal ACA, ban all forms of abortion, etc.) the whole 4 years.

You guys made up the term "trickle down government" which is totally a Karl Rove--"hit 'em with your weakest position" attack. The government isn't giving away anything it wasn't before, except for the healthcare law, which is actually a net gain for us because we're no longer going to have to float deadbeats. This was a Republican plan. Amazing how anything Obama touches sucks to you guys, even when it's your own idea. Geniuses.

Amazing how anything Obama touches sucks to you guys, even when it's your own idea. Geniuses.

stimulus much?

I said you can't blame the new Democratic congress in the beginiing of 2007 for the sh!thole that quickly followed 11 months later

and why can't you? Im wondering why the DNC has zero accountability? Genius is right, its brillant, point the finger, blame and take no responsibility. For the record both parties are responsible for this

Yes, he once again waxed poetic of his love for all Americans on his "private" Willard-has-some-splainin-to-do call with his handlers... All the Dem votes were apparently purchased. Otherwise the girlish little puppy would have won for sure.

At least all concerned called it close successfully enough to milk those buggers for every Citizens United cent they mistakenly threw in. Two things for sure, Romney is no McKinley and Koch-Adelson et al are no Vanderbilt-Carneghie-Rockefeller. Epic fail at election-buying.

Hey...maybe Romney was on to something. Chicks in Binders are pretty smart! :)

Thanksgiving = The day we give thanks for our family and all that we have.

Black Friday = The day after Thanksgiving when we stampede our fellow Americans for the things we want!

Is it only me or is this messed up???

Thomas Grande - saw that photo and it totally made me smile! He looked like he was having a good time after a tough election.

To eveyeone - have a safe, Happy Thanksgiving and let's all try to remember and help those less fortunate - in any way we can! Hope you all get to spend it with loved ones or remembering loved ones you can't be with!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone - even the little rightie on this site!

SeekingSanity-

Happy Thanksgiving to you and everyone!!!

We are truly blessed!!!

Salud

Tomas, such a nice story! Thanks for posting it.

If the French resistance numbers had actually been as reported post-invasion we might not have needed one! lol.

The entire Republican party was exposed by that post-election call between Romney and the "Merkin' Reichstag". I hope America remembers it well this time.

Face it, Americans proved they don't either understand or give a rat's a@@ about the fiscal cliff.

Quite the contrary - Americans proved they understand the issue and simply voted for the candidate most likely to solve the issue vs. the candidate that promised to drive us over another fiscal cliff causing another global economic meltdown.

Americans proved they understand we can't cut our way to prosperity - there has to be increased revenue as well as spending cuts.

Face it, a policy of strict austerity may work for your home finances or a business, but running a country is unlike either of those examples. As a country, if you lay off a worker, that worker is still your problem.

Or a hat of rocks...

NO...it's like talking to the STAMP that was used to mail the box !

Stuck to something much larger than itself that it doesn't understand, cannot see, and is dependent upon AND evidently is only able to take a LICKING once...unlike REAL Americans who know how to standup & rejoin the fight !

He cut off their cell phones as well - I'll bet his campaign staff are glad as heck for those Obamaphone's now!!

I was wondering where ALL of THE MORMONS have vaporized to...?

Did Macaroni come down & take them all to Missouri ?

or are they all huddled in Mitt's Son's basement in Mass. waiting in prayer for God to tell them why HE LIED

when HE TOLD THEM Bishop Willard was SURE to be the next POTUS....

Maybe they all used the example in their history of Albert Packer...

and ATE EACH OTHER !

NOTE to Republicans ;

get class or HAUL ASS

...and IF found guilty..

DEPORTED to Mexico !!