Be Thankful

With so much going on in the world, from a troubled economy and unprecedented terrorist attacks, to the routine strife and aggravations that we encounter in our daily lives, it can be understandably easy to dwell on the things that upset us.

But let me suggest that today serve us as a reminder to appreciate all that we have - family, friends, health and freedom - not just on this one day, but for a little bit each and every day.

From me to you, a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving.

Happy Veterans Day

I had the privilege today, as I have for many years now, to spend part of Veterans Day at a memorial event in the North Center area of my district. Every year, I'm surprised at the relatively small turnout, but I was even more so this year in light of the turbulent times in which we find ourselves. At the same time, I was once again moved by the reverence of the ceremony as well as the faces and passion of the veterans and relatives in attendance.

As I talked with some of the JROTC students afterwards, I couldn't help but think about the soldiers who have died in recent years, many of whom were barely older than these kids.

As the son and grandson of veterans, and as an American thankful for all we have, I just want to say thank you veterans - and may God bless you, one and all.

News From the Front

I'm just stopping by the office for a minute and wanted to put a quick post up. Suffice it to say that I don't think that we'll soon, if ever, see election turnout like this again in our lifetime. Although part of me hopes that civic duty fever will stay with voters for future elections. Time will tell.

I do think that it's great though that people have been willing to wait 2+ hours in some cases for the chance to cast their ballots. And what's really impressive is that we've seen many fewer problems at polling places today than during much slower elections.

I'm back out to the precincts, but I'll leave you with a couple pieces of street art that went up in my ward which I think are really cool. What's even more impressive is that a woman who saw it being done said that it was all done with spray paint.