SENATOR JOHNSON’S ALARMING THANKSGIVING MESSAGE

By Ed Randazzo 

On Thanksgiving morning I received an email from Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) with his Thanksgiving message which I have included below for you to read. It is furnished here below in its entirety, not edited or taken “out of context”.

The most alarming thing that struck me was that Senator Johnson is apparently afraid to mention the name of God. He writes that many will “grab hands, bow heads and give thanks,” but to whom?

Is he afraid to speak the name of God?

Is he ashamed to proclaim faith and belief in God?Is he ashamed to thank God for the great gifts He has shared with you?

As for me and my family, we will thank God today and everyday. We will praise and worship God as the Creator, we will thank God for the great gift of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior. We will thank Him for these United States of America and the freedoms, liberty and prosperity we enjoy for these are gifts from God, not the government or any man.

Deny or omit God at your peril Senator Johnson, for it is He who will judge you.

November 24, 2010

A Time to Give Thanks

This Thanksgiving, as the beautiful autumn colors continue to give way to the oncoming cold and briskness of winter, it is again time for South Dakotans and all Americans to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.

Around dinner tables across America, families and friends will gather to share memories and to slow the pace of life to spend quality time with each other.  Many will grab hands, bow heads and give thanks for the gifts of family, good friends, and neighbors.

It is also a time to give thanks for the men and women who have put on the uniform and defended our freedoms and liberties. 

Amid the turkey, pumpkin pie, and football, it is important that we reflect on those in our society who are struggling this Thanksgiving. The numbers of unemployed, homeless, and struggling families and individuals have grown and our homeless shelters, food pantries, and charitable organizations are working tirelessly to meet the increasing demand.  They are doing extraordinary work, and highlighting the sense community that can be found across our state.

As for the Johnson family, I am extremely grateful to spend Thanksgiving with family, including my grandchildren. We count our blessings every day, and are thankful to have our health and the ability to come together as a family as we begin the holiday season. I have always said that this time of year is not about the things we collect, but spending time with the ones we love.  

Like many people, our home will be filled with family that has been brought together through the miracle of adoption. My son Brendan and his wife Jana are the proud parents of two adopted children, and our family is larger and richer because of it. November marks more than just the start of the holiday season; it is also National Adoption Awareness Month.

I am reminded this time of year of the many wonderful people that make adoption possible. Because of their efforts, more families in South Dakota and across the nation will be spending the holidays with their family. I know adoptive parents in our state and throughout the country have strengthened our communities and the lives of many children.   

As we count our blessings, our nation faces many challenges. Perhaps in these times more than any others, our country has always relied on the great spirit and comfort of family and friends and of neighbor helping neighbor.  This Thanksgiving, may we give thanks for our many blessings and recommit ourselves to family, friends, and community.