Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in Patriotic Sparkler's LiveJournal:

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Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
12:55 pm	This is your government! Through all the coverage and debate surrounding Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to try five 9/11 jihadists in New York City, one implication has received little attention: With this momentous decision he has cheapened the value of U.S. citizenship. To fully comprehend this, it helps to go back to a crucial turning point in the development of what we call Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence – the 1215 signing, by England's King John, of the Magna Carta. This document, forced upon the king at the point of a multitude of combat lances, spelled out a number of fundamental rights to be enjoyed by the barons of the realm. Among them were some of the rights at issue in our own emotional debates about how to deal with those who make war against U.S. citizens on American soil. The right to a speedy trial was one. The right to be protected against arbitrary executive power was another. One famous sentence that comes down to our own day declares: "No freeman shall be taken or imprisoned or disseised [dispossessed] or exiled or in any way destroyed, nor will we go upon him nor send upon him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.'' This was huge, notwithstanding the fact that it applied only to the nobility and that John quickly trampled on the rights spelled out in the document as soon as he calculated he had sufficient power to do so. Ultimately, the language of the Magna Carta was placed before every king, and every king felt obliged to sign it. And just as the barons were protected from arbitrary power of the king, ordinary citizens ultimately received protections against similar arbitrary actions by the barons. But consider the formal greeting, initially in Latin, that began the document as it became increasingly embedded in Anglo-Saxon life: "John, by the grace of God, king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and count of Anjou, to the archbishops, bishops, abbots, earls, barons, justiciars, foresters, sheriffs, stewards, servants, and to all his bailiffs and liege subjects, greetings.'' To all his liege subjects. The document – along with the rights it contained – was directed to subjects of the realm. The rights enumerated were rights of citizenship. Of course through the centuries it naturally became customary to apply these rights, and the procedures that emanated from them, to others living among the citizens of the realm. This was seen as necessary to ensure harmony within the polity and among those living there. But now we have the attorney general, motivated apparently by some vague ethos of international brotherhood, applying these rights to men suspected of stealthy entry upon our soil with the aim of killing innocent Americans by the thousands as they went about their daily business. There is no precedent for this. When eight German saboteurs stole into the United States during World War II, they were tried before a military tribunal and executed within a couple months. Nobody argued that they deserved all the courtesies and protections of Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence, not to mention the protections normally accorded combat prisoners of war. They had not waged war according to international law, and hence those courtesies and protections didn't apply. Nor did the Supreme Court's famous Hamdan decision suggest any requirement to try illegal "enemy combatants'' in civilian courts. It was in response to that decision that Congress, in a noteworthy display of bipartisan cooperation, created the 2006 Military Commissions Act to establish appropriate procedures for dealing with jihadist defendants in military tribunals. Holder has reversed all that. Leave aside for the moment the legal spectacle that almost inevitably will emerge as the system brings to its bosom defendants who despise that very system. Leave aside the prospects for jihadist violence against New Yorkers during the trial. Leave aside the legal wrangling and maneuvering that can be unseemly enough when U.S. citizens and visitors are in the dock but that will strike many Americans as disgusting when the defendants are accused of waging stealthy war against them. And leave aside the prospect that these defendants might actually elude conviction through that maneuvering, through a hung jury, or even through acquittal. Even before any of that is considered, consider the value of our citizenship when the hallowed protections of citizenship are applied to people who wish to destroy our most cherished institutions and traditions. Our liberties are often described as God-given. Perhaps so. But they were secured by mortals, fighting and bleeding and sometimes dying in the long Western struggle against arbitrary executive power. It's doubtful that those who fought and bled and died through the centuries did so with the conviction that their sacrifice was in behalf of men from another culture bent on destroying the culture of their forebears and their descendants. Robert W. Merry, former Washington correspondent for The Wall Street Journal and CEO of Congressional Quarterly Inc., is the author of three books on American history and foreign policy, including the current "A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War, and the Conquest of the American Continent" (Simon & Schuster (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
8:58 pm	Attention: This person and their message is not now and never will be approved by the Obama White House. And Damned proud of it! (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
1:28 pm	My! Things have been busy! If George W. Bush had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics, would you have approved? If George W. Bush had given Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved? 0A If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky? If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, would you have approved? If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the non-existent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor slip? If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with; people who cannot seem to keep current on their income taxes, would you have approved? If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to “Cinco de Cuatro” in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the fourth of May (Cuatro de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you have winced in embarrassment? If George W. Bush had mis-spelled the word advice would you have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and potatoe as “proof” of what a dunce he is? If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on “Earth Day”, would you have concluded he’s a hypocrite? If George W. Bush’s administration had okayed Air Force One flying low over millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually “get” what happened on 9-11? If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how he is inept he is on his own and is really controll ed by smarter men behind the scenes? If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans , would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue with claims of racism and incompetence? If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved? If George W. Bush had proposed to double the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have approved? If George W. Bush had then proposed to double the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved? If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plan’s holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved? If George W. Bush had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to take Laura Bush to a play in NYC, would you have approved? So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive? Can't think of anything? Don't worry. He's done all this in 5 months -- so you'll have three years and seven months to come up with an answer. Current Mood: frustrated (Comment on this)
Thursday, May 7th, 2009
11:14 am	In Memoriam A great American passed away this weekend. Jack Kemp entered into eternal rest on May 2, 2009. For those of you who have little knowledge of Mr. Kemp (that's everyone reading this blog, unless you're my aunt and uncle), allow me to educate you. This man fought for five decades for his country, his family, and his faith. He spoke at my brother's Eagle Scout ceremony. He was a father to five and a grandfather to many. He became my surrogate grandfather after my own died in 1983. He and he wonderful wife were some of the first to respond when Greg was born unexpectedly with Down Syndrome. He was a pretty good football player. He put his faith and his family first in all that he did. He was a man of hope and idealism - something we don't see much anymore. He fought for education and, more importantly, the innate dignity of every human being in this country. His family didn't see him much in the 1980's; I didn't see my father much either since they were out campaigning to try and make the country a better place for their children and make sure everyone got to keep more of their money. They succeeded. Honorable sir, you will be sorely missed. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Light Perpetual shine upon him. Amen. *You can hear some of Mr. Kemp's own words at www.youtube.com, RNC Tribute to Jack Kemp. Current Mood: sad (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
9:09 pm	Seems fair to me... Dear Employees, As the CEO of this organization, I have resigned myself to the fact that Barrack Obama is our President and that our taxes and government fees will increase in a BIG way. To compensate for these increases, our prices would have to increase by about 10%. But since we cannot increase our prices right now due to the dismal state of the economy, we will have to lay off six of our employees instead. This has really been bothering me, since I believe we are family here and I didn't know how to choose who would have to go. So, this is what I did.. I walked through our parking lot and found six 'Obama' bumper stickers on our employees' cars and have decided these folks will be the ones to let go. I can't think of a more fair way to approach this problem. They voted for change, I gave it to them. I will see the rest of you at the annual company picnic. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, April 13th, 2009
11:33 pm	The Lord is Risen Indeed! And by His stripes we are healed. Oh Death, where is thy sting? Oh grave, where is thy victory? - Handel's Messiah Happy, Joyful Easter, everyone! Looking for a good movie? I highly recommend The Passion of the Christ. Even if you're not Christian, it's a stunning cinematic achievement and should be appreciated for that aspect in addition to everything else. Current Mood: jubilant (Comment on this)
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
6:15 pm	New translation Perusing a new translation of Martial: Join your party? I might, mighty Czar, Could I remember quite who you are. Dedicated to the Democrats of the United States of America. (Comment on this)
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009
8:51 pm	Religious Freedoms under Attack! The Obama Administration has just issued a decree to the Department of Health and Human Services to revoke the Conscience Clause that was recently passed. If this takes place, this would mean that any health care provider who for moral or religious reasons disagrees with abortion or the selling of contraceptives, that they would be forced to sell them. Talk about lying for an adminstration that promised hope and freedom for all. Muslim women are allowed to wear headscarves in almost all areas of society, and they typically win any lawsuits that are brought up when this is not the case. Jews are not required to sell or eat pork, even if they happen to be employed in a deli. Since when was it the policy of this admistration to attack fundamental Christian and Catholic beliefs? A response to my last post asked a few questions. Here are the answers: 1. a socialist is someone who believes that it is the duty of the government to make economic and moral decisions for the public at large, overriding where necessary personal beliefs and freedoms, ostensibly for the "greater good." Who defines "greater good" is, of course, open to debate. Socialism does not recognize individual freedoms or economic rights. It has been tried in numerous countries over the past century and has NEVER led to prosperity. It has always resulted in higher taxes and reduced freedoms, and a morass of government regulations which grew exponentially as it became obvious that controlling the wants and needs of a country of diverse individuals was not as easy as socialism's proponents would have you believe. 2. These recent bills pose the "death knell" for the prosperity by making taxes extraordinarily high for most of the country, allowing the government access into areas where it has no business, and draining money from an economy that desperately needs people. 3. Why do I have to be personally affected to see that a proposal is destructive to our freedoms and harmful to the economy? I haven't fallen prey to class envy, as Obama seems to be fostering, so I'm still able to assess government proposals for their impact and make a reasonable decision, without having to be personally affected. This used to be the definition of good citizenship. 4. What else would you call it when human lives are ended for no good reason other than personal convenience? And make no mistake about it, that's the reason most abortions take place. Using embryos for research is barbaric and sounds like something out of a 1950's scifi movie. Kill babies for their stem cells? Do you realize that NO success has yet been actually realized from embryonic stem cells -- it's only POTENTIAL -- while genuine progress has been made with adult stem cells? No one has to die to use adult stem cells. This should be a no-brainer, yet it's not. You might want to ask yourself why. If you have the courage to face the answer, that is. 5. I define the "right thing" as protecting the lives of the most vulnerable members of society. It's easy to ignore what's really happening when we abort babies or use embryos for research which requires the death of that embryo. After all, we don't see them; we don't have to confront these innocent victims and justify what we're doing. They're just cells in a petri dish or a fetus in some woman's body. There's no person there for us to see and relate to. Let me ask you one question: if I push the button which fires an ICBM, and it detonates over, say, a large city somewhere in the middle east -- full of people I can't see, don't know, and can't imagine -- are those people dead? And BTW, that St. Patrick's Day party? Obama didn't pay for that, you did; the costs of all WH entertaining are part of the executive branch budget, funded by the taxpayer. You need to understand how the federal budget works. And it's not the first party he's thrown since he entered office -- at a state dinner a few weeks ago, he served Kobe beef from Japan which costs $100 per pound. Nothing extravagant about that! Why didn't he use Iowa beef and showcase American products at a much lower expense? Other presidents have been much more careful with their expenditures and tried to support American businesses. But I guess Obama is above that; when you're the second messiah, the normal rules must not apply. (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
12:32 pm	Evita Obama After seeing a friend perform the title role in "Evita" this weekend, (she was fabulous!!!), I was struck by the similarities between Eva Peron and Barack Obama. It is interesting to compare the rise of Eva Peron to Barack Obama. Like Eva, Obama's circumstances growing up were the only qulifications examined by the press for his connecting to the vast majority of this country. Like Eva, he propelled himself into office by this words and his connections, not his character or suitability for the job. Not even 60 days into Obama's term as president, and I'm throwing in the towel. He is proving himself to be a liar, a hypocrit and a socialist; nothing he promised on the campaign. In the midst of a recession, he threw a huge party at the White House last night for St. Patrick's day. In the last few weeks, he has signed bills that not only sound the death knell for the prosperity of most Americans, but for innocent human lives. This president would rather be a popular butcher than do the right thing. (If he even knows what that is.) Like some recent musicals, (Evita, The Scarlet Pimpernel), I can see our country careening along the same path as the French at the onset of the French Revolution. I begin to wonder - who and where will our Scarlet Pimpernel emerge, and will he/she be in time? Eva Peron died relatively young, a hero to the disenfranchised and an anathema to those who knew what she was really like. Every country wants a tragic fairy tale. But fairy tales are moral and cautionary tales, and not all people deserve to be written about. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, March 9th, 2009
10:03 pm	Happy it's getting to be Spring Well, with the assistance of the lovely and talented Jim, Liz, Elaine, Janet, Jim K., Mark, Mel, and Sarah R., the move has been accomplished with success! Last week was spring break for CUA so I spent the week unpacking and setting up my new place, finishing my midterm for Biblical Archaeology, and going on a great shopping day with Mom! This was a nice, restful week. So now we're back to school, with projects due, dinner with friends, and a great day in DC this past Sunday biking riding and enjoying the weather. Hope everyone else is doing as well! Current Mood: happy (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, February 27th, 2009
11:40 am	New Address - this time for real Well, there's been a lot of stress over this, but the short story is that I'm moving this Saturday and my new address will be: 624 North Howard Street Apt. 204 Alexandria, VA 22304 Phone and email will remain the same. Needless to say, I will be SO HAPPY to have this over with!!! (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009
3:34 pm	Isn't it Ironic? I find it so comforting how the new President, after winning on a campaign of hope and change, is: - Appointing numerous lobbyists to high positions in his government when he said he wouldn't. - That after promising high ethical standards, 3 of his nominees have so far had serious tax problems and many of his supporters in Congress are having the same. - That after calling the former administration "fear-mongering", the new President and his administration are claiming dire consequences if everyone doesn't support the economic plan that they want. Play by your way or else, huh? What a refreshing change in Washington! (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, February 9th, 2009
10:38 am	There is a story breaking today of a woman in Florida who tried to have her 6-month old fetus aborted. The abortion failed and the autopsy shows that the baby breathed before the "doctor" sealed her in a plastic bag and tossed her in the dumpster. The "doctor" claims that he couldn't find any other work and had to perform abortions "to survive". (Kind of sounds like the guards' excuse at the concentration camps, doesn't it?) This child was 24 weeks, protected under the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which by the way does not require that the mother who tried to kill her child keep the baby if they survive. When, exactly, does a living infant become what the law considers a viable human life? Why are these people so afraid of babies? Loreena Bobbit castrated her husband because he forced her to have an abortion. I'm firmly on her side. If you want to do something to actually help, please visit www.projectgabriel.org and www.rachelsvineyard.org, which offer true help and healing to both men and women in dire situations. May God have mercy on us all. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, February 6th, 2009
10:47 pm	Change in moving plans... Okay, slight change in plans for moving. The check from the supposed leaser turned out to be a fraud. I cut the b%*^# loose and I'm not moving this weekend. I spoke to my leasing office, and it only took them a blood pressure-raising month to figure out that, oh yeah, we can move you to a month-to-month lease and save you an entire month's rent! No shit, Sherlock! So, I'll be moving on February 28. I'm not sure what address it will be, but I'll keep everyone posted. Again, I'll need help moving, and pizza and various booze will be provided. Thanks for all the support, everyone! This has been a hellish last month. I'm finishing the other half-bottle of wine tonight and when the next paycheck comes through, I'm treating myself to my yearly trip to Elizabeth Arden spa! Any ladies want to join me? Current Mood: drained (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Friday, January 30th, 2009
6:21 pm	Fingers crossed!!! So the chick from England who wants to take over the lease on my apartment is apparently interested and getting ready to move over here. She wants to finish the paperwork when she arrives on Feb.5. I've referred her to the leasing office and if they approve her, she's fine. (background check) I've filled out the application for my apartment and my move-in date is set for next Thursday and Friday. All this still depends on if the girl from England gets approved. (I love it when people are complacent when their actions could affect others!) So I'll be doing homework and packing up my apartment to fit into one 1/3 of its size. But it's only for a year so it's alright. But I'll need help moving! I am willing to pay food and booze to anyone who can help me move next week!!! Please let me know if you're available! Current Mood: anxious (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
1:54 pm	The craziness continues... So after about 1 year of searching and dealing with this mess, I finally found a roommate. She is a really sweet girl and she moved in with her dog about 2 weeks ago. This past weekend, she moved out. You see, my apartment complex neglected to mention that I don't live in a dog friendly building. They refused to work with either one of us, other than quoting policy and telling us we both had to move. So Colleen moved out and I found a one-bedroom without a washer/dryer which I can move into as soon as I find someone to take over the lease on my current apartment so that I don't wind up paying $3,000 over the next 2 months. I've had a couple of offers but no one has followed up yet. I am so sick and tired and stressed out, I'm snapping at everything in sight. It's not a good way to be. Things have been up and down with my family as well, which isn't helping the stress level. On the upside, I love my Anthropology classes; I definitely picked the right field. I don't even mind doing the readings! This semester I'm taking Biblical Archaeology, Prehistoric Art and Architecture, Anthropological Methods and I'm TAing the Introduction to Archaeology course. I'll post again soon, hopefully with good news this time. Current Mood: drained (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, January 19th, 2009
10:13 pm	I know that there is a great deal of controversy out there regarding our next president, the departing president, and the future of this nation. In a small answer, I offer the following video expressing a few of my core beliefs. Despite the web address, it will offend no one. I urge you to take 30 seconds to watch it. www.catholicvote.com You should never apologize for the truth. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
5:57 pm	Last chance MEMO To: Liberals From: Me Date: Starting now This is to inform you that President George W. Bush will cease to be the Commander-in-Chief of the United States as of Tuesday, January 20. We suggest that you get all your belly-aching and gripping out of the way now, because in one week you will no longer have such a scapegoat. Enjoy your last moments of freedom while they last. Oh, and with Leon Panetta as CIA chief? I would also suggest that you start building your bunker now, because if that imbecile gets confirmed, we're all going to die. Sincerely, The Management Current Mood: gloomy (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, December 18th, 2008
11:46 pm	Giving back I'm trying to get back charity work. With my job and schedule, I haven't been able to do much besides donating in the last few years and I really miss being able to help out. So don't think you're getting off that easily! Here are two great ways to do some good! Send a Thank-You letter to a soldier: www.LetsSayThanks.com Polar-Bear Plunge: www.plungmd.com This last event is a fundraiser for Special Olympics of Maryland. On January 24, 2009, I will put on a bathing suit and jump into the Chesapeake Bay! I'll be spending the rest of the day in a portable hot tub pants suit which I'm going to build for this specific purpose! But seriously, this is a wonderful cause and I'd be honored if you'd like to join me or donate to my team of one! I'll try to post videos so that you have something to laugh at! More details coming soon! Love to all! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
11:35 pm	Catching up to Christmas Wow, it's been a long time since I posted! I'm actually home tonight to do so, before my cold medicine knocks me out. Everyone around me has been getting sick and I'm fighting like the dickens to stay well. Sudafed and Vitamin C, you are my friends! I got my final grade in the my first Anthropology course: A-! I've registered for my classes next semester and I'm really excited about them! Here's what I'll be taking: Prehistoric Art and Architecture Research Methods and Practice Near East Bible lands Intro to Archeology (I'm monitoring the lectures and TAing this course.) The professor for my TA course is the one Archeaologist in the department and I'm excited to get to start work with him. He seems to be very much in favor of a hands-on approach to history, which of course appeals to me! I've turned in my resignation letter at work and after 5.5 years in the federal government, my last day of work is January 9, 2009 at 6:00pm. It's been interesting going through the debriefing process, making sure all my retirement funds are transferred, printing out my desk and checking to see what I can't discuss under penalty of law for the next year. I've got most of it down but there is little time left and things are still busy as we prepare to turn operations over to the new administration. It is informative watching the changes take place and being there first hand as everything happens. Definitely something to journal about. I've had surgery on my lower set of gums. Apparently my gums are receding so much that the nerves are coming through. I've had the right and left side done by skin graft and they'll do the front lower part in January after the holidays. Other than being sore and hyped on pain medication, I'm really glad the procedure is getting done, even if it is annoying. Next week is family Christmas celebration week, and then I'll be in Banff, Alberta, Canada from December 28 through January 4 for the International Paddy Crean Art of the Sword Conference! I'm getting really excited about it; I had a wonderful time, learned a ton and met some wonderful people when I went in 2007. I'm packing all my work-out gear and first aid kits, just in case! Please let me know how you all are doing. I miss you. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this very special time of year! Current Mood: happy (Comment on this)