Columnist Ruthe Deskin: No hurry to face holiday rush

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003 | 8:36 a.m.

Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Reach her at deskin@lasvegassun.com.

Though there are forces abroad who keep pushing the beginning of the holiday season back, I still consider Thanksgiving as the time to proclaim the annual festivities.

Some prognosticators see Santa Claus eventually serving as grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade, but until that eventful occasion I'll stick to the day when we are expected to give thanks for all of our blessings.

And, heaven knows, we have much for which to be thankful.

Daily headlines report suicide bombings in major cities, war casualties continuing to rise, governments being toppled, hunger and disease attacking in poverty-stricken, Third World countries, and natural catastrophes adding to the misery of thousands of refugees seeking safer havens.

In the United States there are problems to be faced, but the philosophy, "Don't complain, you could have been born in Bangladesh," still holds true.

Take time this coming Thanksgiving to lift a grateful prayer that you are living in the U.S.

Mitch Albom, author of the bestseller "Tuesdays With Morrie," has written another winner.

I just finished reading "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" -- a little book with a huge message.

This tale will inspire you to recall old friends and acquaintances who were instrumental in shaping your life.

Eddie, a veteran who feels trapped in a meaningless life, is killed in a tragic accident on his 83rd birthday.

His trip to heaven and association with five people who had a direct influence on his life is the crux of the story.

Take the trip to heaven with Eddie through the words of gifted storyteller Albom. It's thought-provoking and delightful reading.

KNPR public radio execs made a smart move when they put TV personality and producer Gwen Castaldi in charge of KNPR's "State of Nevada."

Castaldi is smart, well-informed and has a background of service in the community that will serve her well.

Next week the Las Vegas Convention Center will be the scene of the annual Sun Youth Forum.

Almost a thousand students representing all of the area high schools will meet for a day to discuss topics ranging from world affairs to problems facing teenagers in today's society.

The Sun Youth Forum's appeal through the years has mirrored the determination of its founder, Hank Greenspun, that young people need an outlet to express their opinions without adult interference.

Anything goes as some discussions heat up and students seek answers to perplexing questions.

It is a fine program, which has touched the lives of thousands of students and adults.

Am I just an old prude, or are there others who feel that singer Britney Spears' latest release is near pornographic? It leaves little to the imagination. If her purpose was to outdo Madonna, she has exceeded far beyond her greatest fantasy.

There was a time when Spears' kind of entertainment would have been confined to the brothels.

Today she has, unfortunately, become a role model for many impressionable young teenagers. How sad.

Add the trials and tribulations of singer Michael Jackson and you have a warped idea of what has happened in the entertainment industry.