WOKE WILL GO THEIR OWN WAY, BUT THANKSGIVING IS A TRADITION WORTH PRESERVING
On Thanksgiving in 2023, it is evident that the world is facing a multitude of challenges. There is a war in the Middle East, inflation at home, corruption among government officials, and widespread confusion regarding the biology of gender. In addition to these global issues, many of us also grapple with complex family situations. These challenges are shared by us all.
In Alaska, we contend with our own set of natural adversities, including unpredictable weather and shifting geology. While these occurrences are annual events, each year brings its own unique dangers. In recent times, we’ve experienced Typhoon Merbok battering the coast of Western Alaska, as well as incidents like landslides and rockslides in Haines and Skagway. Just this week, a deadly landslide occurred in Wrangell, and it’s been a heartbreaking week for many.
Residents of the Prince William Sound area are acutely aware of the potential devastation that could result from the large slope in the Barry Arm fjord. While the exact timing of its collapse remains uncertain, history tells us that, much like the 1958 Lituya Bay earthquake and tsunami, and the 1964 earthquake and tsunami, the forces of nature will ultimately prevail. After all, this is Alaska, a land in the perpetual process of reshaping itself.
(On that note, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our first responders, including our police and firefighters, paramedics, emergency room professionals, and those diligently monitoring the switchboards and computers that keep our lights on today.)
In the midst of our tumultuous and ever-changing world, some individuals with excessive free time have sought to undermine Thanksgiving by instilling guilt over a tradition rooted in gratitude and family togetherness. Websites like Greenmatters claim that “Thanksgiving Glorifies the Abhorrent Colonization of Indigenous Peoples.”
It is clear that the Left is downplaying Thanksgiving, as if it were a source of shame. There is a noticeable decline in the once cherished national holiday’s recognition.
However, for those of us who cherish this tradition, we will persevere. The world has always been a complex place, filled with conflicts, dangers, and trials. Like those who came before us, we practice humility and express gratitude for all that is virtuous, benevolent, and nourishing to both body and spirit. We offer thanks for our families and, when separated from them, we are immensely grateful for the friends who stand by our side and fill the role of family in our lives.
Here at Must Read Alaska, our gratitude extends to all our readers and supporters. As we undergo a transition in ownership and transform this news platform into something that will endure for generations, it is Alaskans like you who have built something worth preserving for conservative news and perspectives. Our appreciation for you is a daily practice.
If you have contributed to this publication, you have played a vital role in shaping Must Read Alaska. Here is your report for the month of October:
In October, Must Read Alaska‘s website attracted 507,150 unique readers and garnered 1,072,760 page views. Additionally, our stories are distributed on platforms like NewsBreak and Facebook, which expands the content’s reach, although these readers are not reflected in our site’s overall statistics.
The Must Read Alaska newsletter is read in 49 states and 71 countries, with a total of 174,000 views over the past 30 days.
The Must Read Alaska podcast, hosted by John Quick, has had one 2,700 downloads this month alone, and over 225,000 downloads since we launched it.
With this in mind, we extend our gratitude to all contributors, including writers, tip-senders, and those who have provided financial support to this publication. Your contributions have a discernible impact, as demonstrated by these numbers. Thanks to all who send in a kind word now and then, and thank you to all the commenters on stories.
We hope that you will continue to support this project as we welcome new writers and broaden our offerings in the coming months. If you have contemplated supporting Must Read Alaska, now is an excellent time to contribute, so that what began as a newsletter in 2015 and evolved into a website in 2016 can continue its growth in 2024.
You can find the link for contributions here. Thank you, everyone, for being a part of this labor of love for Alaska.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Suzanne Downing, founder and managing editor
