To those of you who are celebrating it: HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY!

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   terenceyap07posted 16 years ago

   Happy Columbus Day Everyone! May this holiday be a memorably happy day!
   
   *smiles*
   
   P/S  Even if you don't celebrate it, a long weekend is something everyone can be thankful for! And also for all my Canadian friends out there: Happy Thanksgiving guys!!!

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      hubby7posted 16 years agoin reply to this

      I doubt that Columbus Day is a happy day for the Native Americans. The same can be said about Thanksgiving Day as well. What are they to be thankful for? America needs to rethink what these two holidays means, especially, in this time of globalization and diversity. We cannot adhere to the values that are in many ways in conflict with how most Americans feel today.
      
                        hubby7

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         Maddie Ruudposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         In Canada (and for a lot of forward-thinking Americans as well), Thanksgiving has nothing to do with pilgrims and Native Americans.  It's simply a day for giving thanks.  And that, by itself, is a good thing.

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            Patty Inglish, MSposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            That's right - and several Native American nations celebrate it with monthly festivals in Sept - Nov. in just that way - just giving thanks, not considering it a Native-owned holiday at all.

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         terenceyap07posted 16 years agoin reply to this

         On any given holiday in Singapore, I am thankful for the time away from my work. On such holidays, I get to spend more time with those that I love and care for. I am thankful for the opportunity to be with the ones that I work so hard for.
         
         This is what the holidays mean to me, my friend.
         
         I am unable to comment on the many ways in which certain values may come into conflict with how most Americans feel. Please accept my humble apologies, my friend.
         
         May you share this holiday with the ones whom you hold close to your heart, my friend.
         
         *smiles*

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            SweetiePieposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            You are sweet to care so much about everyone.  Also, I agree with you when you say the most important thing about holidays is who you share it with.

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               terenceyap07posted 16 years agoin reply to this

               Happy Holiday, SweetiePie. May this day be a memorable one for you and you loved ones, my friend.
               
               *smiles*

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                  SweetiePieposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                  Thank you Terence.  You are so kind .

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   Isabella Snowposted 16 years ago

   Yes, Happy Columbus Day! A day when Americans celebrate the accidental discovery of a relatively peaceful continent and the subsequent colonization of land that already belonged to someone else. Without Columbus, disease, alcoholism -- and what many would call genocide -- millions of pesky Indians might be alive today! Only in America are children taught to celebrate such a travesty.

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   terenceyap07posted 16 years ago

   While we can never erase the atrocities that have marred our history, we can choose to learn valuable lessons from them and find ways and means to ensure that they are never repeated.
   
   *smiles*

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   Isabella Snowposted 16 years ago

   Yes, thank God the American military has seen the error of their ways. I'd hate to think what state the world might be in if they were still invading and destroying the lands of other people.

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   terenceyap07posted 16 years ago

   The military is but a vehicle driven by a goverment. What the military does depends on the orders it recieves from the government.
   
   Governments are voted into office. For all our sakes, may the coming Presidential Elections see a good turnout.
   
   *smiles*

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   Patty Inglish, MSposted 16 years ago

   It's a troublesome holiday - Columbus didn't discover America and Native Americans still heavily resent the problems he and his exploration created. I'll be cooking some native American food Monday,

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      Maddie Ruudposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      In the Berkeley public school system (where I spent most of my grade school years), it was called "Indigenous People's Day."
      
      Send me some munches, Patty?  I'm disappointed that I'm missing out on my mum's side of the family's Thanksgiving celebrations up in Ottawa.

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         terenceyap07posted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for the update, Maddie. I learn something new everyday.
         
         *smiles*

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         Patty Inglish, MSposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         I think Canadian thanksgiving would be lots of fun.
         
         How about the Native version of elephant ears -- Those would survive mailing to California.

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   Patty Inglish, MSposted 16 years ago

   Now that's making some progress, imo. I even saw that notation on a calendar the other day and wondered about it. Thanks, Maddie!.

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   thranaxposted 16 years ago

   Happy Columbus Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
   ~thranax~

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      terenceyap07posted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Happy Holiday to you, my friend. Once again, it's really good to have you back!
      
      *smiles*

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   Uninvited Writerposted 16 years ago

   Thanksgiving here is just like in the US...without the pilgrims of course
   
   I just had my turkey dinner...yum.

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    Patty Inglish, MSposted 16 years ago

    Always more fun at a friends house or another country.

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    JYOTI KOTHARIposted 16 years ago

    It is really shameful to enjoy a day when atrocities began!
    
          Americans did not change since those days. They N-bombed Japan (I had been in 
    
          Hiroshima last month). Forget Vietnam?
    
           Their atrocities are continuing in Iraq.
         
         Are the military responsible or the Government? American people themselves?
    
        Thanks but no thanks.
    
       Jyoti Kothari

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       Isabella Snowposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       Actually, America would never have gotten involved in that if the French hadn't screwed up so utterly.

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          terenceyap07posted 16 years agoin reply to this

          I have long admired your views on bringing up children, my friend. Please excuse my impersonal response to your earlier comments. I did so in the wee hours of the morning, way past my bedtime.
          
          *waves flag of truce & smiles*

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    Marian Swiftposted 16 years ago

    I'm simply celebrating a day away from the day job!
    
    Just Googled up a group that's trying to transform the occasion:
    
    http://www.transformcolumbusday.org/
    
    Berkeley's just over the hill from my place.  Might find some ways to celebrate Indigenous People's Day.

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    SweetiePieposted 16 years ago

    Columbus Day should be renamed Native Americans' Day here in America.  Why celebrate a man that accidentally "discovered America," when we could make the day about celebrating the rich cultures of Native Americans?! When I was in high school my history teachers were informed enough to teach that Columbus was not the hero that previous generations had made him out to be.  As a college major all I can say is we did not have much great to say about Columbus, at least here in Southern California.  Many teachers no longer teach that Columbus is a hero, just to clarify.  Native Americans' Day is an alternative name for Indigenous Peoples Day, but both are used interchangeably.
    
    http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/ … ricans-day

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    Isabella Snowposted 16 years ago

    Terence -- You don't need to apologize, it was obvious that you were just being cheery. It's just a touchy subject for some, as many Americans do tend to be blissfully ignorant when it comes to history of any kind.

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       terenceyap07posted 16 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you for accepting my apology and giving me the benefit of the doubt, my friend. Happy Hoildays to you and your loved ones.
       
       *smiles*

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    gamergirlposted 16 years ago

    Terence,
    
    Please do not feel the need to apologize for being a positive, upbeat and sweet Singaporean man.
    
    You're above the snipe-y negativity, don't let it get to you.  ((HUGS))

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       terenceyap07posted 16 years agoin reply to this

       You are a very sweet lady, too. Thank you, my friend.
       
       It is important for me to be considerate to how others feel. I do my best to empathize wherever possible.
       
       *hugs*

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