Holidays for Sale

   Every once in a blue moon, a man comes along that changes the way we view the world . Someone who challenges us to "rethink" what normal is and leads us into a better tommorrow. This week we celebrate Christopher Columbus's discovery of the Americas by honoring him with his very own holiday. A day well earned, as what he achieved was an unheard of feat in his time. For a man to go against society's belief that the world was flat, and sail Westward into what most thought to be certain death, was a remarkable task. This man did not take a pre-paved path to infamy. He had no idea what dangers lay ahead for him, but he did have a vision of success that he was compelled to follow. Unfortunately Columbus did not initially discover an alternate route to India as he had planned. Instead he discovered something that turned out to be far greater. His courage and determination are what we celebrate this October to remind the world that he was no ordinary man.
   This February we will celebrate George Washington and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays. Two men with immeasurable drive and determination to accomplish what they knew to be " the right thing " in their hearts. Washington's battle for independence from a dictatorship ended up snowballing into something of epic proportions. This man ultimately helped establish the greatest country on the planet. Abraham Lincoln also shared greatness worthy of celebrating. His desire to right what he felt was wrong changed the entire planet's views on slavery.
   Our country's history is saturated with over-achieving men doing unprecedented and unequaled tasks. Neil Armstrong not only became the first man to step foot on the moon, he gave hope to all future generations, that they too could achieve goals once thought unreachable.
   This month as we admire Columbus's courage and determination to succeed, we must also question when, if ever, the next great achiever will come along. Our President was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this week. A man whose achievements DO NOT hold a candle to those great achievers before him. I wonder if George Washington would hae accepted an award for "wanting" to lead our revolution. What if Abraham Lincoln never accomplished his goal of freeing the slaves, would  he have been honored for "his extarordinary effort"? Maybe, we should have honored Neil Armstrong for his "vision" of walking on the moon, instead of making him follow through? And finally, what would our country be today if Columbus never boarded a ship, but instead, spent his life babbling about what he planned to one day accomplish? Would we celebrate his name this month because he talked of doing great things, or is it the accomplishment that is neccesary to receive rewards?
   Barack Obama will accept the Nobel Peace Prize in December for his "vision of peace" as the NPP committee stated. Not for any great achievment or action on his part. A sad day for a country that has so many achievers it could be celebrating.  I wonder what day the New World Order will designate as Obama Day? ( I hope that it is not on my birthday)