A Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving

Thursday Nov. 27, 2025  

I can just imagine a clot of angry, shrieking lefties demanding that I take that painting down, the one of the first Thanksgiving.

But I don’t work at “the paper” anymore.

And Thursday is my Thanksgiving, dammit, and they can go get their own iconography.

This one with the happy Indians and the happy Pilgrims suits me just fine. But I’m eager someday see paintings of the Indians from Sicily making sausage and peppers with Pocahontas, or the Greek Indians bringing whole roast lamb with garlic to Miles Standish.

“Who are you going to thank this year?” asked a friend, born and raised a Daley Democrat in Bridgeport.

Besides God?

“You should thank ‘the paper’ for pushing you out and George Soros,” he said.

Great idea, The leftist newsroom union slimed my reputation, prompting other lefty busybodies to attack, but now that it’s over I must thank the Tribune guild and Soros.

Without their vicious behavior, I would never have left ‘the paper’ and invited you all to join me on the great adventure to find truly independent journalism at johnkassnews.com. But I did, we did, and it’s fantastic. And now, we all happily breath free and fresh air.

Thank you, Soros, thank you unrecognizable Trib.

For years I when I worked in Chicago journalism I had to slog through stories and commentaries

Do they even care? The lefties of Chicago have been busy protecting Boss Toni Preckwinkle and her Cook County Judges who themselves shielded the violent felon and woman burner Lawrence Reed who was arrested 72 times.

But I am reminded that as Americans, we are all children of God, and no man walks alone.

What a great time to be an American in America!!

And I just love that Norman Rockwell painting, “Freedom from Want” with the grandparents and their family and friends together for Thanksgiving Day.

We thank God. And we also thank friends, those we love.

People are just happier now, aren’t they? They’re more optimistic about the future, and they’re curious, rather than fearful, of what the future might bring.

Thanksgiving brings the Christmas season, and that means you might rewatch that great Frank Capra classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

The heartwarming Christmas movie ends with the pilot Harry Bailey home from the war, toasting his brother George (Jimmy Stewart) as “the richest man in town.”

And a note of thanks from Clarence the Angel: “Dear George—Remember NO man is a failure who has friends.”

That always gets me, because as a good friend always says, “No man walks alone.”

And I happen to know the richest man in town. It’s not Jimmy Stewart.

It’s my friend Thom Serafin, husband to Ann, father to sons Mathew and Mitchell, and friend to so many.

If you’ve read about those amazing Christmas parties he throws, you know that he and Ann are always surrounded by people who love the Serafin family.

Some of you know him as the sharp-witted deep voiced TV political analyst with the “good hair.”  Or as the boss of the top Chicago public relations firm Serafin & Associates. He’s a movie star, though a Green Bay Packers fan. And we’ve been blessed with friendship and support from the Serafin family for years.

Just a couple years ago I had a serious crippling health issue and he came through for me.

I was knocked down by a heart attack and required immediate cardiac surgery and a quadruple bypass. I thought my time had come.

On the University of Chicago operating table, it got worse. I suffered a stroke. And I just started johnkassnews.com. When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t move my right hand.

I was about to lose my website, my business that Betty and I relied on after those leftist bigots there forced me to leave “the paper.”

That’s when Thom Serafin stepped in. He calmed Betty and me. He called other good friends and organized them into something of a staff. Many people talk about helping.

He saw what was needed and did it, really did it, all the while reminding me of God’s love for all mankind. And our common obligation to use kindness whenever possible. He’s a decent man, and I would not be doing this now if it weren’t for my friend Thom Serafin.

They all pitched in and wrote columns for the website. And all of you readers and loyal subscribers pitched in by keeping your subscriptions with johnkassnews.com.

I’ll never forget Thom Serafin, who as in the Frank Capra film, is the richest man in town.

All those I mention here were rocks to me, rocks of support for my broken and weakened body, pillars who held me up when I couldn’t stand myself.

Betty was there, of course. And our sons and their girlfriends. Without their love, well, I don’t want to think of it.

And Jeff Carlin is always there, dear friend, WGN radio executive producer and co-host of our podcast, your favorite podcast: the Chicago Way.

James Banakis was also there too. And the life-long restauranteur found something out about himself: He can really, really write.

Packers fan David Bittinger has placed op-eds at the Los Angeles Times, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and elsewhere, including here. He also writes commentary on his own website and political poetry on “X.”

Dr. Cory Franklin, physician and writer was for 25 years director of medical intensive care at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. He was one of the role models for Harrison Ford in the movie “The Fugitive.” He writes at the Chicago Tribune, the Jerusalem Post, johnkassnews.com and many others.

Ganske, is a retired plastic surgeon from Iowa. He served in the US Congress from 1995-2002.

Pat Hickey is a prolific Chicago writer and longtime teacher of literature and writing at many Catholic High Schools in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

Mike Houlihan, Shakespearean actor, playwright, newspaper columnist and host of Hibernian Radio. We call him “Houli.”

Steve Huntley, writer for over three decades as Chicago newsman at the Sun-Times, having served on the editorial board, and senior editor with US News and World Report. His writing is often picked up for national distribution, either on Real Clear Politics or at Powerline blog. A pro’s pro, he always has my respect.

Jeanne Ives, Westpoint graduate, US Army veteran, and Republican conservative former Illinois gubernatorial candidate. She has a radio show on Sunday evenings on AM560 and is host of breakthrough-ideas.com.

Froylan Jimenez a Chicago Public School Civics Teacher, coach and CTU union member. Mickey Horstman, Illinois Policy Institute.  Garry McCarthy is the former Supt. of Police in Chicago.

The great champion of the unborn Mary Hallan FioRito addresses another thorny issue as government works its way into families: Does the child “belong” to the state? Or, to the family.

Michael Ledwith is a frequent contributor. The former U.S. Army officer ran with the bulls in Pamplona and saw Baryshnikov dance ’Giselle’ at the Auditorium Theater.  Surfer. Rock and roller. Bill Marovitz, former Illinois State Senator.

Bill Melonides, is a professional photographer and chef. Jay Levine is the former Chief Correspondent for CBS-2 Chicago. His beats ranged from City Hall to Vatican City. Stuart Loren sees the cowardice in politcal Illinois.

John P. McCormick, native of Manchester, Iowa. Among his various news jobs: night copy clerk at the late Chicago Daily News, Midwest bureau chief for Newsweek Magazine and editorial page editor of the Chicago Tribune. We were colleagues at “the paper” and I’d try out columns and he’d work out editorials. That’s what colleagues do. He stood up to the corrupt forces of Illinois that were bent on destroying it.

My brother Nicholas Spyridon Kass served the United States government for more than 30 years at the White House, CIA, U.S. State Department and other posts. He was retired, living in Romania and is a senior fellow for foreign affairs at the Center for National Interest. He has written for The American Conservative, American Greatness, johnkassnews.com and other publications.

Now, Nick has been called back to Washington where he serves the nation as acting chairman of the National Intelligence Council · Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Nick may be America’s premiere spymaster and our brother Peter runs a grocery store, and I’m the angry guy waving his cane against the clouds, but we three brothers have this in common for Thanksgiving:

We’re partial to Mrs. Grass Onion Soup Dip mix with our chips and scotch and soda for the football game.

Dan Proft, is my friend, the conservative Chicago talk show host on Chicago’s Morning Answer program on AM 560, and is the unsentimental podcaster on COUNTERCULTURE: “The intersection of reason and faith, in the great battle against sentimentality, to preserve Western Civilization.” He does not suffer fools.

And Steve the Pilot is the fishing buddy and friend of the famous trout fisherman known as Johnny Two Rods. He’s just written a column here that we posted Wednesday.

Anne Savoy is a Chicago baseball fan whose heart has been broken by the White Sox.

Father Paul Siewers the Orthodox priest has written beautifully about the mysteries of the Lenten season.

Marie T. Sullivan a native of Ohio Marie T. (Terry) Sullivan has lived in Chicagoland for all of her adult life. Her background is in music. By day she works for a Chicago nonprofit. For two years she was culture editor for the now defunct Chicago Daily Observer. She’s an elegant writer and lovely singer.

Freelance writer Robert Thomas wrote a gripping story that we published last year but it was so good I’m compelled to mention it again: “One Day in East Berlin, 1984.”

And the man who should have been elected mayor of Chicago was too white and he wasn’t enough of a leftist to suit Democrats and Chicago’s Marxist newsrooms, but problem-solver Paul Vallas keeps on trying to work out what ails this broken city. He won’t give up.

So, there’s a sampling of the friends who’ve pitched in to help me at johnkassnews.com. I wanted to recognize and thank them.

I used to think I was alone, but all of you had my back, and so many of you subscribed, so that told me I was not alone. And as long as you keep subscribing, I’ll keep writing and giving you the best I’ve got.

And, as another good friend of mine says (he’s a shy former Democrat and does not like to read his name in print):

“No man walks alone.”

He’s right. I know God loves us. And I do remember that no man is a failure who has friends.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, from Betty, the boys and me.

God bless you and your families and let us say this together:

God bless America.

-30-

About the author: John Kass spent decades as a political writer and news columnist in Chicago working at a major metropolitan newspaper. He is co-host of The Chicago Way podcast. And he just loves his “No Chumbolone” hat, because johnkassnews.com is a “No Chumbolone” Zone where you can always get a cup of common sense.

Merchandise Now Available: If you’re looking for a gift for that hard-to-buy for special someone who has everything, just click on the link to the johnkassnews.com store.

Where else would you find a No Chumbolone™ cap or a Chicago Way™ coffee cup?

Because I know this about you: You’re not a Chumbolone.

Comments 54

  1. Happy Thanksgiving to the Kass family from one of your loyal readers and fellow bar b Que enthusiasts who is now preparing to inject the turkey and put it on the pit!

    1. Same to ya John, and all of the subscribers. Winter settling in here in KC, watching the Plaza lights come on tonight. Eat and enjoy the Pack losing so Da Bears can take a decent lead.

  6. God bless the entire John Kass Family (immediate and vastly extended) and every great soul who tries to make things right in the greatest nation on earth! Happy Thanksgiving!

  11. A Blessed Thanksgiving to you John, your wife Betty, and the rest of the Kass clan. I am truly grateful the you kept the name BETHANY MAGEE front and center the last few days, may God be with her. My daughter Amy who is autistic just got accepted into Misericordia after being on their list for the last eleven years, I cannot express the feelings of joy and relief that are flowing through my heart….I am 75 years old, her living remaining parent and caretaker, and now I can rest in peace….she and are Blessed.

  15. You’ve been a blessing to us all over the years John. Thankful to have had access to your intellect, wit and humor. Best to you and your family and to all of Kass Nation. Happy Thanksgiving
    Chip Reavley

  16. Happy Thanksgiving to all the Kass family. Blessings on your day.Go easy on the scotch, John, even though I realize that the definition of “easy” varies from person to person.

  17. Thank you John, for this column and for all your inspiration and perseverance. May you and your family and “friends” have a wonderful Thanksgiving. God bless you.
    Mike Reardon

  20. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Mr. Kass, and to all of the Friends you mentioned (the important words should always be capitalized). We need the wisdom that you and those who write with you give us, now more than ever.

    When I was a kid, my Dad told me that as I went through life I’d have a lot of acquaintances and a hopefully a few real Friends. I asked him what the difference was between the two. Now this was a Firefighter who worked several side jobs to take care of our large Family, and he was a very pragmatic guy. He replied “An acquaintance is someone who you call at 3 in the morning and say that you need them to meet you at a location and to bring $200”. The acquaintance will reply “Can’t this wait until the morning, why do you need that much money, can’t you call someone else?” The Friend will reply “I’ll be there in 20 minutes, are you sure that $200 is enough?”.

    I’ve been blessed with several true Friends in my life, and obviously so have you. Please keep writing and making your Greek ancestors proud, and thanks for what you do.

  21. Thank you for giving me another reason to be thankful: you survived your ordeal. God is good: to you, to us. Keep up the inspiring writing, John. We’re counting on a lot more. God bless you, and all those who are responsible for you being here.

  22. This IS a thanks-filled Thanksgiving! Though my family and friends all have the good sense to steer clear of the Cheeseland where I live, I awoke this morning to another nourishing Kass Thanksgiving essay and can hope to watch the Packers this afternoon get smoked like a spatchcock turkey.

    See, I moved from Chicago to Wisconsin long ago, sensing things were going to get worse than the Bilandic administration. Now I can occasionally write for JKN and, for the second time, appreciate John’s being a better humorist than I am, wryly calling me a “Packers fan.” That’s Packers FOE,” wise guy! Anyway, go Bears! And go JKN, Dan and Steve the Pilot and Pat and James (all of them) and Jeffrey and Enrique and Thomas and all the other discerning, entertaining commenters I’ve only met here (still hoping to meet John someday).

    1. No, the Packers will win today.

      The Packers vs. Bears game on the 7th will be important. Not many of those in the 21st century! The Bears finally have a quarterback.

      Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

  23. Yianni,
    We’re thankful that God granted you more time with us and your family, so we can continue to share your wisdom and ability to put into words, those thoughts and prayers of which all of us are thinking. A true gift! Xronia Polla!!!!

  24. Good health and good luck to you and all of your family John. We should all be thankful for the Cook County and Chicago Dunces that foster the corruption that give you plenty of material to draw. Moutzas wouldn’t be the same without the deepness of the local well to draw material from. A convicted felon pardoned and appointed a judges seat? He wasn’t pardoned because he was wrongly convicted, but because ….well, you know the rest. You couldn’t make this stuff up. If you took that to Hollywood as a screenplay you would get laughed out of the room.

  26. John,

    I remember that Sunday morning reading “the paper” after you were pushed to the back of the line. I read the editorial on page 2, looked at my wife and said “why are we paying for this?” Best uninvestment ever, I wouldn’t use the “paper” to wash my windows.

    In desperate times you find out who your real friends are. We watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” every year and Clarence was right.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your growing family!!

  29. After I “scan” my digital copy of the Trib or listen to local news, I feel there’s not much hope for us. Then I read my John Kass News and realize there are still some people left that aren’t’ “smoking something” or drinking some bad Kool-Aid. If we’re a “Cult,” then we’re a DAMN, SMART CULT. Here’s wishing all of us a very Happy Thanksgiving.

  32. A Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours, John. And to all who have been reading these “Bits of Midwestern Common Senese” from The Paper days to now!

  34. I give thanks to God every morning my feet hit the floor and I give an extra thanks on the mornings when you or your guest columnists greets me with a good cup of midwestern common sense. Best wishes to you, your boys and to Betty who holds the whole show together.

  35. Thanks for your columns, John and Betty! My privilege to have contributed a bit in helping you recover from your illnesses. With 24/7 reporting of terrible things from around the world it is easy to lose sight of so many acts of grace and kindness that occur. We are indeed fortunate to live in this the greatest nation in history. Greg Ganske

  36. To you, John and Betty, and all your contributors, have a blessed Thanksgiving. I am grateful to you all for all the cups of Midwestern common sense. You’re the best!

  37. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday weekend than by reading your column today. Yes, friends are such a wonderful gift to have, in both good times and bad. Enjoy your holiday, John.

  39. No, the Packers will win today.

    The Packers vs. Bears game on the 7th will be important. Not many of those in the 21st century! The Bears finally have a quarterback.

    Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

  42. Thank you JK.

    Maybe your illness was a blessing in two ways. The doctors saved your life, Betty is not a widow and the boys are not fatherless. You will be there for the Lads weddings please God.

    JK. your illness turned us your readership on to some remarkable people who pitched in when needed most. Those guest columnists have made JK News even better, I love the guest columnists.

    I’m thankful for you and the people who have made JK News the best journalism in Chicago.

  43. Happy Thanksgiving to the Kass family and other supporters. Thank you John for having the courage and will to overcome life’s difficulties. God bless!

  45. After reading this, I believe it is YOU John who is the richest man in the world. Happy Thanksgiving and God bless you, your family and all of our families!

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