Op-Ed
The only difference between events that become history and experiences that fade beyond memory is that some are recorded and remain in our culture's collective consciousness, while the others do not. But that fact does not mean that the unremembered stories are any less a part of our nation's past. Unfortunately, chance and timing often determine our historical narrative instead of an event's significance.
In 1977, President Carter issued Executive Order 11988, which established the definition of "floodplain" as an area subject to a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year. President Carter issued this order in order to protect federal investments and human life from flood risk. This definition of a floodplain informs federal agencies in their use of funds, building standards, and sets benchmarks for many other programs. The currently defined floodplain has been the standard ever since 1977.
We think of the famous six-ton Waterford Crystal ball dropped over New York City's Times Square amid a sea of onlookers and confetti. There are the infamous New Year's Resolutions that inspire — and often guilt — their participants into personal improvement. There's also the slate of college football games spattered on and around January 1 accompanied by bantering among each team's faithful. Lastly, hope exists to move beyond the shortcomings of the previous year into a new year filled with opportunity.
It's not that I disapprove of those who do or that I don't enjoy Christmastime. I've just always thought Thanksgiving has much more to offer than what initially meets the eye. And it goes well beyond Pilgrims and Native Americans, turkeys, family gatherings, and yes, even football.
I believe Thanksgiving's greatest gift to us is opportunity; opportunity that demands we stop our busy lives and gratefully take stock of the provisions given to us throughout the year.
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
my heart to greater loyalty,
my hands to larger service,
and my health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country,
and my world. – THE 4-H PLEDGE
While it often proves difficult to treasure that wealth when we're healthy, we fully understand its value when we're not.
Riding an El Niño climate pattern that promoted rainfall and milder temperatures, the state saw good pasture growth for livestock this summer while also setting an overall yield record for winter wheat at 63 bushels per acre. Meanwhile, fall harvests have proven equally promising, with strong yields reported for many First District row crops, including multiple 100-plus bushels-per-acre soybeans.
President George W. Bush is less than halfway through his first term in the Oval Office, Democrat Tom Daschle from South Dakota leads the Senate, and Republican Denny Hastert from Illinois serves as House Speaker. Tech giant Apple released its second-generation iPod two months earlier that has a maximum storage capacity of 20 gigabytes for $499. Meanwhile, U.S. consumers pay only $1.44 for a gallon of gasoline and $2.73 for a gallon of milk.