Yes Mr. Henley, this is "My Thanksgiving"

The thought they had it all
starting with a government that would stand the test of time
praised forefathers as the most honorable and decent men
placed then on pedestals
and attributed god like personas
rationalizing the creation of a new nation state
as the end that justifies inhuman deeds

Brought others here from ancient African lands
treated as property and subhuman
crafted treaty after treaty with Natives
then broke them routinely
and worst part of the white man's reign
was the unintended spread of disease

Manifest Destiny proclaimed it was time for the Spanish and Mexicans
to be put in their place
having earlier tried to invade the north while still
attached to the British Empire in 1812
a Civil War ensued which was suppose to settle
the inhumanity administered
for a time Reconstruction looked promising
but political games ensued and equality
was and still is an ideal yet to be fully practiced

The Industrial Revolution powered forth the American nation state
while monarchs and royalty bickered over the borders of
smaller territorial domains
a suspicious sinking of a battleship gave a president
the cover for invading Puerto Rico and Spain
now the genie had been let out of the bottle

A war to end all wars had inevitable calls
one president dreamed for a world practicing democracy?
well democracy but on his terms
again conflict broke out with three leaders bent on world domination
this time a president's vision curtailed by his death
his successor victorious in shortening the fighting
but unleashing the power of a nuclear reaction
and in an effort to stop the red imperial designs
creates NATO and the CIA

Cold War ensued and with it an industry that profits
from hatred and greed, the advance of technology
the misery and ignorance of misled peoples
praise goes to the so called winners
presidents and the like praised as if saviors
while animosities caused by imperialistic notions
masqueraded as safeguarding the world
find American hands in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
in the ironic position of forcing democracy
on lands little is known about
while economic slavery is attached to
non threatening, good feeling words

So you ask me to give thanks
and to a certain extent I can comply
for I am not well equipped to provide
an alternative world view
that eliminates the horrors of human short comings
but I can say that we do no service to posterity
by excusing the inhuman displays
that come with a full and fair reading of history

and Bono sings, "Am I bugging you? I didn't mean to bug ya". (He really did)