Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Greetings Golfers,

Hope you’re enjoying the Thanksgiving weekend … despite the change in weather. Winter is here.

So let’s talk about Thanksgiving. Though I believe we should be thankful just for living … this holiday was meant to be thankful for living in America.

President Lincoln proclaimed it in 1863 … and then in 1941, President Roosevelt enacted it into law. Both of those happened during wars - the Civil War and WWII.

Obviously, the Presidents were trying to keep the citizens thankful for being American during very stressful times.

But what is at the root of being thankful for being American? I think it’s the concept of ordered liberty.

Order without liberty is a nightmare. And liberty without order is also a nightmare.

The goal is a balance - ordered liberty.

However, I believe the key relies on personal responsibility.

Here’s an example: parking your car. You have the freedom to park so that you take up two spaces. But if that becomes normal … we’ll need a law that you can only park in one space - or get ticketed.

If people are going to use liberty to act like selfish jerks … then we need more order … and lose our liberty in the process. Which also feeds into control freaks who’d love to run everyone’s life.

I think Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Your freedom to swing your fist ends where my nose begins.”

Most societies have been more weighted toward order than freedom. And then it goes too far, and they have a revolution.

Well … I don’t want chaos and anarchy and getting punched in the nose for no reason. And … I don’t want to be controlled like a slave.

As messed-up as America is … I’m thankful to be an American. The balance between order and freedom will never be perfect. It really depends on a society who believes in personal responsibility.

Which, as you know, is the basis of the game of golf. (You knew I had to get here!).

Cheers!

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com