Excitement is circulating across the country with the recent election of a new president, but as the days in November continue to unfold, Americans need to stop and take a minute to recognize what makes the nation so great.

Thanksgiving is Nov. 27, and the United States has come a long way since the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621.

Even though the nation is in a time of uncertainty – with the rollercoaster economy and war in Iraq – the American people still have plenty to be grateful for.

America is better off than most nations around the world.

Electric plug-in cars, diesel hybrids and flex-fuel burners are all modern catch-phrases used to prematurely sell the concept of efficient vehicles. Yet various gasoline combustion engine layouts continue to dominate the design of cars on the road today.

While a greener future in the automotive industry seems to be the call for action, getting the manufacturers to flip the switch and start plugging in batteries will take more than the lobbying of environmentalists and consumers who are tired of being squeezed at the pump.

American auto manufacturers have ignored the technology around them for too long – technology that could have been emulated long ago to produce more efficient and powerful, naturally-aspirated motors.

Every so often, the Green is littered with religious zealots who loudly proclaim their teachings – specifically what becomes of heretics, whoever they might be.

These preachers can be seen in straw hats, holding eye-catching signs visible from great distances.

And they are never far away from the hoards of students who surround them and urge them to go home and never return.

Dear Editor,
While I understand it was published in the Discourse section of the Spinnaker, the article “Election not truly a landslide” must be questioned.

As a Libertarian who believes in many Republican ideals such as free market economy and limited government, it shames me to see the College Republican president’s article. He claims President-elect Barack Obama is the first Democrat to win “with a convincing majority” since LBJ. But in 1996, Clinton defeated Bob Dole by a margin of 8.5 percent, versus the 7 percent by which Obama defeated Sen. John McCain.