Sure, the economy’s tanking. Sure, you’re worried about your job, your home, your vanishing 401(k). But that doesn’t mean the world’s gone completely to hell. Thanksgiving’s here! Between the first of the day’s football games and the last of the turkey leftovers, let’s take a moment to ponder all the things for which we should be thankful!
For example:
Be thankful you can buy a gallon of gas these days without needing a federal bank loan to fill up your tank.
Be thankful Maryland had nearly two decades of Republican Wayne Gilchrest in the U.S. Congress. He had a passion for the environment. He had integrity. He knew the art of reaching across the political aisle for compromise. And, if his own party hadn’t been so ambivalent about him, they might have a slightly stronger position in Congress than they’ll have beginning next month.
Be thankful for schoolteachers who have convinced their students that reading a book will not make them go blind.
Be thankful slots are finally coming to Maryland. But understand they’re a sucker’s bet. So be sure you make them an occasional diversion, and not the basis for some imaginary family investment plan.
Be thankful if you remember when Forest Park High School was one of the classiest in the state, and not a place where students beat up teachers and wait for a slap on the wrist from North Avenue.
Be thankful you’re not one of the Lehman Brothers.
Be thankful for the first part of Mike Mussina’s career. He retired last week. Even though he spent the last half of his career in Yankees pinstripes, Mussina’s most dazzling seasons were spent in Baltimore. And there were nights when the guy was absolutely magical on the mound.
Be thankful if Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett sign with the Orioles. It’d be a sign of sanity among modern millionaire athletes — that money’s nice, but it’s also nice to play in front of your real-life home folks.
Be thankful the Baltimore County Council’s not required to take an oath of relevance.
Be thankful fast-food restaurants are reportedly doing well despite the rough economy — because a lot of their newest customers are folks who once dined regularly at higher-end restaurants.
Be thankful those Big Brother undercover types in the Maryland State Police didn’t violate any more people’s rights than they did.
They think spying on innocent citizens is fighting crime? They think people expressing divergent views is a danger to democracy? Be thankful that the cops’ one saving grace was their complete ineptitude.
Be thankful Black Friday’s coming, to give retailers a little breathing room. But we worry all the retail jobs that will vanish the moment this holiday season’s over.
Be thankful for regular trash collection in the city. If you think there’s a rodent problem now, just wait until they learn which exits to use off the Beltway.
Be thankful cool heads in state government came through with a ninth-inning hit for the Sports Legends at Camden Yards Museum last week. These are tough financial times for everybody. But this isn’t just a museum — it’s the place where people from all over Maryland keep their most hallowed sports memories.
Be thankful for 95-year-old John Pente, who lights up all of Little Italy every summer from his upstairs bedroom. The film festival goes on and on, a source of good cheer for all, and it’s the projector in Pente’s room that brings a glow to the night.
Be thankful you didn’t tell Robert Ehrlich, “Get behind this guy Andy Harris. He’s a winner. Sure, you’re investing your own political capital, but how can this guy possibly lose to Frank Kratovil?”
Be thankful Mayor Sheila Dixon’s plugging on with the same energy and passion for the job despite a dispiriting state prosecutor’s investigation of her that’s dragged on and on and on and …
Be thankful City Hall’s unveiled its big plans for the Charles Street corridor just north of Penn Station. With the University of Baltimore straddling one side, and Maryland Institute College of Art straddling the other, and the venerable Charles Theatre with its bustling crowds, this is an area bursting with untapped possibilities.
Be thankful light rail employees passed out free coffee and doughnuts to passengers returning after two weeks of disruption. Be less than thankful nobody figured out a way to cut the disruption by two weeks.
Be thankful if you remember those glorious years when Thanksgiving Day meant Loyola playing Calvert Hall and City playing Poly in an old ballpark on 33rd Street.
Be thankful the Pilgrims didn’t serve steamed crabs for that first Thanksgiving dinner, or we’d be spending a (bigger) fortune to feed our families tonight.
