Okay folks, this is a note (abridged) that I sent out to my close friends and family members. I am going to reprint most of it for you.
I hope this isn’t too politically pushy (there’s not pro or con) and the last part wasn’t too schmaltzy (sp) but I felt it is important to spread the word of getting involved in your local community. Stop for a sec, get those local ballots mailed, made, whatever it takes.
Oh and yes I do think it would be highly appropriate for people to burn a candle or candles in memory of those lost and for the country as a whole.
I would even love to hear any other ideas for Thanksgiving that anyone might have. I think this years Thanksgiving will be a mixed blessing.
Do any Canadians or Mexicans honestly get angry when people in the US a refered to, or refer to themselves as, Americans? If you do, what should we use instead? I mean, United States of Americans is a bit of a mouthful.
Also, go vote. People are risking their lives right now so you can do that.
Miller, I had a boyfriend from Colombia who used to insist that we Americans shouldn’t call ourselves Americans, because Colombians and everyone else are also Americans, but I never took him seriously.
It’s kind of like someone arguing that saying “Oh my God” means you believe in God.
Sorry, Canadians and Mexicans, not to mention Colombians, Peruvians, Tierra Del Fuegians, and so on, are not Americans. American is not used to refer to everybody living on one landmass, becuase the Americas are divided into three: North America, Central America, and South America. Canadians live in North America, and Mexicans live in Central America, but the term “American” is used to refer to folks from the U.S. of A. We are the only nation that has America in its official title, so we are Americans.
And, yes, I’ll be voting on Tuesday; I haven’t missed an election since I turned 18. Warner for Virginia Governor!
How about referring to people from the USA as “gringos”?
Actually, I am surprised that Mexicans don’t get upset that we are called the United States, since they are also the United States (of Mexico).
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Back to the OP: techchick I like your idea to do something special on Thanksgiving, but not so sure about five candles. Maybe just one big one.
I once referred to Mexico as being in Central America in front of one of my Mexican cousins, and he immediately informed me that it is in fact, in North America. He seemed rather insulted.
