Thanksgiving, A Day for Gratitude
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We think of Thanksgiving beginning in 1621. The pilgrims had spent their first year in the New World, at Plymouth Massachusetts. The first winter was spent on boats. After landing, they did not had time to erect any structures before winter. The Wampanoag Indians helped them learn to cultivate corn and to fish, so they would not starve.  They celebrated the corn harvest with a thanksgiving celebration.  There are earlier references to a thanksgiving feast, dating into the 16th century.

Present day Thanksgiving was codified in 1941 when Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill establishing a national holiday on the fourth Thursday of November.

From the earliest days of our nation, a day of Thanksgiving has been proclaimed by our government. In 1777, the Continental Congress encouraged the states to observe and proclaim Thursday the 18th day of December a day to “adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God…acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for benefits received.”

President Washington declared the first National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. A day of thanksgiving was observed sporadically (six times) over the next 72 years, until the Civil War. Lincoln needed a victory against the rebellious southern states. General Ulysses S. Grant supplied it with the surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 4, 1863. One day after the defeat of Lee at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 3rd.

Popular sentiment looks to Gettysburg as the Civil War’s decisive battle.  Some historians point to Grant defeating 30,000 troops and 3,000 civilians at Vicksburg with light losses, while dividing the south and opening the Mississippi river to commerce.

The historian Michael B. Ballard writes, “The campaign’s effect on the outcome of the war was profound, arguably more so than that of any other military event.  The impact of the surrender on Southern morale was considerably greater than that of Lee’s withdrawal from Pennsylvania.”

President Lincoln wrote General Grant, “I do not remember that you and I ever met personally.  I write this now as a grateful acknowledgement for the almost inestimable service you have done the country”

Grant went on to take Chattanooga, Knoxville and eastern Tennessee for the Union.  Congress passed a bill to bestow the rank of lieutenant general on U.S. Grant.  This rank had not been used since George Washington.  Lincoln signed the commission, after assurances that Grant was not a democrat.

Lincoln declared a national day of Thanksgiving be observed the last Thursday of November, and Congress concurred.  The tradition carried on until 1941 when FDR made Thanksgiving a National Holiday, to be observed on the fourth Thursday of November.

And now you know a little more history about Thanksgiving, and U.S. Grant.  He was celebrated as the General that saved the Union.  Sadly, we have forgotten some of our greatest leaders.

Many thanks to subscriber W.H. for sharing his book “U.S. Grant-- American Hero, American Myth.”

North Korea has given the world notice they don’t like being ignored.  Kim Jong Il, and his son’s military, fired artillery shells at a South Korean island early this morning.  South Korea reports two marines killed and sixteen injured by the attack.  S. Korea scrambled their Air Force.  The long weekend could be full of news.

Bill Burton, President Obama’s spokesman said “The president is outraged by these actions.”  China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they “wish each side stay calm and exercise restraint.”  Bill Bennett of the Rand Corp. said, "The attacks appear to be an attempt to force South Korea and the United States to negotiate with (N. Korea) and provide assistance," Bennett said.

Victor Cha is the Korea expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.  Cha recommended Obama put a lot of pressure on China to rein in North Korea, which relies on China for aid, food and energy.  “Events like this need to make it (Korea) a much higher priority (for the U.S. Administration). This is close to conventional war in Asia."

We are going to look at a long position in USO going into the holiday weekend.  Somehow, I feel better owning oil when the world is in turmoil.  Happy Thanksgiving.

To the mailbag:
We saw “Inside Job” in Wichita, it’s playing on E. 13.  I loved it, thought it was very well done. They really showed the revolving door that is Washington and Wall Street; it’s what you've been writing about for years.---subscriber S.N.

John’s reply:  I hate to tell you this.  I asked our high powered, road warrior, college educated, business consultant in mergers and acquisitions to find the movie and we would go.  She could not.  She said it wasn't playing in Wichita.  I want my money back from the K.U. Business School!  In all fairness, I suggested a theatre in west part of town, thinking all movies play there.  My fear is that creative license will paint it for entertainment rather than accuracy.

The information presented in this newsletter is based on generally available news releases, corporate filings, current events, interviews and the editor’s opinions.  It may contain errors and you should not make investment decisions based solely on what you believe you have read here.  Do your own research, it is your money.  If you lose it, it is your responsibility, not ours or your grandmothers!  The editor may or may not have a position in any securities discussed.  The editor may have held a position in a security earlier, or in the future.

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