This is my contribution to this month's new virtual symposium's mid-month challenge on '10 things that I'm Thankful for' - see Mid-Month Challenge 9.
Though we don't do Thanksgiving here in Britain, that doesn't mean I'm not thankful. Here's my list, in no particular order, of ten things I am thankful for:
It was difficult to limit my list to ten things. Unfortunately there's no room for the European Union (despite Brexit), the Nottingham Panthers ice hockey team, the Red Cross/Red Crescent, the Tour de France and the welfare state on my list.
But if push comes to shove, I could have reduced my list to one thing. I'm thankful for my parents. Though dead, there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about my parents very fondly and with all my love. Because, unlike Philip Larkin's poem in which he wrote: "They fuck you up, your mum and dad. They may not mean to, but they do", my parents didn't fuck me up, quite the opposite. The thoughts of my parents is what I'm most thankful for. I guess that's eleven things rather than ten things I'm thankful for.
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Japan's health insurance scheme is funded by adults paying into the system. It's strained because of the aging population and declining birth rate.
Britain also has an ageing population though not to the same level as Japan's. The biggest strain is on the social care system, especially for care of the elderly.
I'm THANKFUL to be ALIVE!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼
So am I!
That’s quite a list, Spunky—personal, political, and playful all at once. A great way to tackle the challenge.
I like my politics!
A good mix of the personal and the socio-political.
I can't believe Donald Trump is suing the BBC well after a year the offending documentary was aired and it wasn't even aired in America. He is incredibly thin-skinned but loves to dish the insults out to others! I very much hope the BBC doesn't cave in.
@spunkycumfun really the most litigious man in the world. His bribery scheme worked so well against US companies decided to go International with
@bignicktx I suspect he relies on those who he is suing not having much money so they'll cave in. The BBC isn't a rich organisation though it does have Parliament and the government behind it.
@spunkycumfun the American News Companie
Plenty of money. They just thought easier to pay him off. His strategy use to be for people who did work for him he would only pay half of what owed and said if don't like sue and he stated You will pay so much in legal fees you will go bankrupt. Most of rest of times sued he usually drops when realizes he will have to give a deposition, all of his relevant activities open to discovery, so more like playing a game of legal chicken
That was beautiful. I believe I can say that we are all thankful that you are on here and giving us your stirring conversations,
Many thanks.
Thank you for being you.
Thank you.
What great things you are grateful for my friend, I hope your enjoying a relaxing Sunday too..
I hope you get to make your list.
very well thought out list, thank you for sharing! Thanksgiving in the states is in a couple of weeks so this is very appropriate!
Trump's battle with the BBC will be interesting. I know similar claims against American media outlets have resulted in settlements and some are still ongoing. But Trump just wants to close the so-called 'legacy' media down because they have the temerity to question and even criticise what he does.
Though Trump is claiming that British people are outraged what what the BBC did, I can assure you that most here just see it as a journalistic mistake and that no way should the BBC hand over any money to him.
He has no reputation to damage! And the BBC documentary wasn't aired in America, but no doubt more Americans have seen bits of the documentary as a result of his action.
The documentary was aired over a year ago, which means he can't take any legal action in British courts. Hence it's Florida or at a push Washington DC. This man is a total chancer, and a total liar.
@spunkycumfun I’m hoping the BBC comes into court, very prim & proper and above all full blown British, announces it would like to make a statement adding with apologies to the court , and then says “(appropriate adjective) OFF YOU ORANGE WALRUS, IT WILL BE THE COLDEST DAY EVER RECORDED BECAUSE HELL WILL FREEZE OVER BEFORE WE EVER GIVE YOU A FARTHING “.
@Terracamo814 I hope the BBC doesn't cave in like ABC and CNN did before it. It's sickening to hear Donald Trump claiming that the British people support his action. Though nearly all will admit that the BBC made a mistake and should apologise, which it has done, most don't support Trump's heavy-handed (and bullying) approach. The only people who support Trump are those who want the BBC privatised or even abolished.
Nice list, though a bit wordy. 😀
I thought it was a bit wordy as well!
You definitely have room for the Red Cross/Red Crescent and the Tour de France once you remove the #4 and #10 challenge "violators".
It's a good list though
Oops, I forgot about that rule!
@OldStandardDudeX Not a rebel. more an amnesiac!
@spunkycumfun @oldstandarddudex one would expect a group moderator to set a good example! (shakes head sadly)
@superbjversion2 I think a firing is in order or at least a billion dollar lawsuit action!
Thanks. 😃
Mon plaisir.